THE 



WASHINGTON GUIDE; 



CONTAINING 



Capt. John Smith's Account of the 
Chesapeake Bay, and the different 
tribes of Indians, inhabiting the 
borders of the rivers. 

Capt. John Smith's Letter to the 
Queen of England, relating to Po- 
cahontas. 

Laws relating to the Cession of the 
Territory, by Maryland and Vir- 
ginia, to the United States. 

Description of the Capitol. 

Corporation of Washington, with an 
Abstract of the Laws, as now in 
force. 

Columbian Institute. 



Horticultural Society. 

Historical Society, &c. 

List of Characters who have bene- 
fited the City. 

Mode of applying for Patents, and 
securing Copy rights. 

Capture of the City of Washington, 
by the British. 

Officers employed in the General 
Government. 

Diplomatic Agents at home and 
abroad. 

Penitentiary of the District of Co- 
lumbia. 

Botany of the District of Columbia. 



ALSO, 

ULUSTRATED BY A MAP OF WASHINGTON CITY, AND 
SEVERAL ENGRAYINGS. 



BY WILLIAM ELLIOT. 

; and 

PUBLISHED BY FRANCK TAYLOR. 



J. CRISSY, PRINTER. 
1837. 



f 






Entered, according to an Act of Congress, in the year 1837 : 

BY WILLIAM ELLIOT, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for tlie Eastern District of 
Pennsylvania. 



PREFACE. 



In presenting to the public this improved edition 
of the " fVashington Gulde,^^ it will be seen that 
many valuable additions and improvements have 
been added. Captain Smith's account of the Ches- 
apeake Bay, with the tribes of Indians which inhab- 
ited the borders of the rivers is altogether new. 
The abstract of the laws of the Corporation is also 
nearly altogether new : The list of officers of the 
Corporation and General Government is also made 
correct. The remarks on the capitol have been 
chiefly taken from a printed pamphlet by Mr. 
Robert Mills, architect ; and through the kindness 
of Mr. Rich, the botany of the District has been 
made correct. The Map of the District will be 
found correct and useful. 

One of the leading objects of the present little 
work is to collect and preserve, in a portable size, 



VI PREFACE. 

all the material facts relating to the foundation and 
formation of the metropolis of the United States. 
In doing this, our information has been chiefly 
drawn from three sources : public documents, in 
formation furnished by intelligent friends, and from 
our own observations. The reader will find no 
difficulty in distinguishing from which of these 
sources any piece of information has been obtained : 
And we will here acknowledge the obligations we 
are under to Mr. John Sessford, of this city, for 
his valuable and correct information ; also, to Mr. 
Clement T. Coste, for the corrections in the laws 
of the Corporation. 

It was, no doubt, through the influence of Gene- 
ral Washington that the seat of the National Go- 
vernment was established here ; but it has required 
the fostering hand of every successive administra- 
tion to keep alive and to nourish what he had so 
wisely planted. Happily this has been done to the 
extent of every reasonable man's expectation. The 
city was laid out during the administration of John 
Adams. The Capitol, President's House, two of 
the Executive Offices, and Navy-yard were begun ; 
some were finished, and considerable progress made 
in others, under his fostering care. 



PREFACE. Vll 

Mr. JeiFerson did much to further the prosperity 
of the city, by procuring grants of money for carry- 
ing on the public buildings ; he also gave encour- 
agement to all the improvements in the city then 
brought forward ; and caused Pennsylvania avenue 
to be planted with trees. He also established the 
Navy-yard. 

Mr. Madison was also a friend to the prosperity 
of the city ; but owing to the restrictions on com- 
merce and the subsequent war, little progress was 
made in his administration in the public works. 

But it is during the administration of Mr. Mon- 
roe that the most extensive and valuable improve- 
ments have been made in every part of the city, 
and the public money has been expended on pub- 
lic works with the greatest liberality. Two new 
Executive Offices have been built ; the President's 
House nearly finished ; the north entrance of the 
square ornamented with handsome iron railing; 
both wings of the capitol restored, and the centre 
building rapidly advancing to completion ; the capi- 
tol square laid out, planted with trees, and sur- 
rounded with an iron railing. One frigate and a 
seventy-four gun-ship finished, and another in a 



Vlll PREFACE. 

Slate of great forwardness, at our Navy-yard. 
These expenditures of public money at the seat of 
government, have materially assisted the Corpora- 
ton to raise and expend more in making streets, 
market-houses, building bridges, an asylum, a 
principal portion of the City Hall, and to make 
many other valuable improvements — all tending 
to the accommodation of our National Represent- 
atives. 

Though the city has received many important 
advantages from the favour and protection of the 
various Executives and the Heads of the different 
Departments under them ; still few of these officers 
have heretofore considered themselves at home in 
this city ; and have paid no farther attention to 
us than during the period of their official engage- 
ments. 

John Q. Adams forms an honourable excep- 
tion : — He has erected an elegant house near the 
President's Square, in which he resides in winter. 

While particular societies have been gratified, 
the public good has been consulted. This has 
been recently exemplified in the assistance given 
by the public officers to the erection of a large bell,. 



PREFACE. IX 

which is already placed in the tower of the Unita- 
rian Church, in the central division of the city ; and 
to a similar one about to be placed on the Episco- 
pal Church in the western part. Thus, after the 
lapse of many years, we have been furnished 
with the pleasing and useful mode of announcing 
holy-days of rest and devotion ; and a means of 
public alarm, in case of the awful visitation of noc- 
turnal fire. 

The city of Washington will owe a debt of gra- 
titude to the patriotism and wisdom of the general 
government, in the successive administrations, in 
promoting public improvements ; and nothing will 
contribute more to the comfort and convenience of 
the public, than bringing the water from Smith's 
Spring to the capitol, and thence along Pennsylva- 
nia avenue to Fifteenth street, west. 

Surely no policy can be more correct than that 
of rendering the metropolis of this vast republic, 
in all respects worthy of the powerful and extended 
nation of which it is the focus. The economy, or 
rather miserable parsimony, which would cripple 
its growth, would be found, at no very remote 
period, a wretched anti- national policy. 



PREFACE. 



The list of plants found in the District, and 
classed according to the Linnean system, was first 
furnished by Dr. Brereton, and revised and cor- 
rected by Mr. Rich, from the records of the Bo- 
tanical Society of this place, and cannot fail to be 
interesting to men of science at a distance. 



CONTENTS. 



Pages 
City Hall, (frontispiece.) 
Map of the City of Washington. 

The District of Columbia, 1 

Captain John Smith's Account of the Chesapeake 

Bay, &c., 2 

Letter to Glueen Anne of Great Britain, - • - 14 
Votes on the Bill for locating a District of Territory, on 

the Potomac, 19 

An Act for establishing the Seat of Government of the 

United States, - - 20 

Proclamation by the President of the United States, - 22 
Proclamation (Amendatory) by the President of the 

United States, 26 

Ratification of Cession by Maryland, - - -28 

The River Potomac, 40 

Fisheries, .-------.44 

Geology and Mineralogy, 46 

City of Washington, &c., 48 

Public Buildings in Washington, - - . - 54 

The Capitol, &c., 55 

Plans of the First and Second Floors of the Ro- 

tundo, {plate,) 57 

Planof the Rotundo and Library, (p/a?e.) - - 61 

The Statues of Peace and War, .... 73 

The President's House, 104 



a CAPTAIN JOHN 

the ManacanSy who were constantly at war with 
the Powhatons of Virginia. Their history is but 
Httle known. War, small-pox, and the introduc- 
tion of spiritous liquors, must have rapidly thin- 
ned their population ; for in 1669, when a census 
was taken, one third of their former number was 
deficient. After this, it is said, they migrated 
westwardly, and joined the Tuscaroras. 



CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH S ACCOUNT OF THE CHESA- 
PEAKE BAY, 

With the Rivers which empty into it, and Indians which 
lived on borders oj" the several rivers, tf'C., in his time. 

In this country, the summer is as hot as in 
Spain ; the winter cold as in France or England. 
The heat of summer is in June, July, and August ; 
but commonly the cool breezes assuage vehe- 
mency of the heat. The chief of winter is half of 
December, January, February, and half of March. 
The cold is extremely sharp, but here the proverb 
is true, that no extreme long continues. 

In the year 1607, was an extraordinary frost in 
most of Europe ; and this frost was found as ex- 
treme in Virginia. But the next year, for eight 
or ten days of ill weather, other fourteen days 
would be as summer. 

The wind here is variable, but the like thunder 
and lighming to purify the air, I have seldom 
heard or seen in Europe. 

From the southwest came the greatest gusts. 



OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY. 3 

with thunder and heat. The northwest wind is 
commonly cool and bringeth fair weather with it. 
From the north is the greatest cold, and from the 
east and southeast, as from the Bermudas, fogs 
and rains. Sometimes there are great droughts ; 
other times great rains, yet great necessities of 
neither ; by reason, we see, not but that all the 
varieties of needful fruits in Europe may be there 
in great plenty, by the industry of men, as appear- 
eth by those we there planted. 

There is but one entrance, by sea, into this 
country, and that is at the mouth of a very goodly 
bay, eighteen or twenty miles broad. 

The cape on the south is called Cape Henry, in 
honor of our most noble prince. 

The land, white hilly sands, like unto the 
Downs, and all a-long the shores great plenty of 
pines and firs. 

The north cape is called Cape Charles, in 
honor of the worthy Duke of York. 

The island before it. Smith's Island, by the 
name of the discoverer. Within is a country that 
may have the prerogative over the most pleasant 
places known for large and pleasant navigable 
rivers, heaven and earth never agreed better, to 
frame a place for man's habitation, were it fully 
manured and inhabited by industrious people. 
Here are mountains, hills, plains, valleys, rivers, 
and brooks, all running most pleasantly into a fair 
bay, compassed, but for the mouth, with fruitful 
and delightful land. In the bay and rivers are 
many islands both great and small ; some woody, 
some plain, most of them low, and not inhabited. 



4 CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH S ACCOUNT 

This bay lyelh north and south, in which the 
water floweth near 200 miles, and has a channel 
for 140 miles ; of depth, betwixt six and fifteen 
fathoms, holding a breadth for the most part ten 
or fourteen miles. 

From the head of the bay to the northwest, the 
land is mountaincjs, and so in a manner from 
thence by a southwest line, so that the more south- 
ward, the farther off from the bay are those moun- 
tains. 

From which fall certain brooks, which, after, 
come to fine navigable rivers. These run from 
the northwest into the southeast, and so into the 
west side of the bay, where the fall of every river 
is within twenty or fifteen miles one of the other. 
The mountains are of divers nature, for at the head 
of the bay, the rocks are of a composition like 
mill-stones ; some of marble, &c., and many 
pieces like bristol, we found as thrown down by 
the water from those mountains ; for in winter, 
they are covered with much snow, and when it 
dissolves, the water falls with such violence, that 
it causes great inundation in some narrow valleys, 
which is scarce perceived, being once in the river. 
These waters wash from the rocks such glistning 
tinctures, that the ground in some places seemeth 
as gilded where both the rocks and the earth are 
so splendid to behold, tliat better inducement than 
ours might have been persuaded they contain 
more than probabilities. The vesture of the earth 
in most places, doth manifestly prove the nature 
of the soil to be lusty and very rich. The color 
of the earth we found in divers places resembles 



OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY. 5 

fuller's earth ; but generally, for the most part, it 
is a black sandy mould, in some places a fat slimy 
clay, in other places a barren gravel ; but the best 
ground is known by the vesture it beareth, as by 
the greatness of trees or abundance of weeds, &c. 

The country is not mountainous, nor yet low ; 
but such pleasant plains and hills, and fertile val- 
leys, one prettily crossing another, and watered so 
conveniently with fresh brooks and springs, no less 
commodious than delightful. By the rivers are 
many plains and marshes, containing, some twenty, 
some one hundred, some more, and some less. 
Other plains there are very few, but only where 
the savage inhabits, but all overgrown with trees 
and weeds being a plain wilderness as God first 
made it. 

On the west side of the bay, we said were five 
fair and delightful navigable rivers. The first of 
those, and the next to the mouth of the bay, has its 
course from the west-northwest. It is called Pow- 
hatan, according to the name of a principal country 
that lyeth upon it. The mouth of this river is 
near three miles in breadth, yet the shoals that 
force the channel is so near that a stone may be 
thrown to it. 

It is navigable 150 miles, the shoals and sound- 
ings are here needless to be expressed. 

It falleth from rocks far west in a country inha- 
bited by a nation they call Manacans ; but where 
it cometh into our discovery, it is Powhatan. In 
the farthest places that was diligently observed, are 
falls, rocks, shoals, Szc, which make it past navi- 
gation any higher. Thence in the running down- 
1* 



6 

ward, the river is enriched with many good brooks 
which are maintained by an infinite number of 
small runlets and pleasant springs that disperse 
themselves for the best service, as do the veins of 
a man's body. From the south, these fall into it. 
First, the pleasant river of Apamatock there falls 
into it. Next, more to the east, are two small 
rivers of Quiyoughcohanocke. A little farther is a 
bay, wherein falleth three or four pretty brooks 
and creeks that half entrench the inhabitants of 
Warraskoyac, then river of Nandsamund, and 
lastly the brook of Chesapeake. From the north 
side, is the river of Chickanamanie, the back river 
of James Town, another by the Cedar Island, 
where we lived ten weeks upon oysters, then a 
convenient harbor for fish-boats at Kecough- 
tan, that so turneth itself into bays and creeks, it 
makes that place very pleasant to inhabit ; their 
cornfields being girded therein as peninsulas. The 
most of these rivers are inhabited by several 
nations or rather families of the name of the 
rivers. They have also over those, some governor 
as their king, which they call WeroAvance. In a 
peninsula, on the north side of this river, are the 
English, planted in a place, by them called James 
Town, in honor of the King's Most Excellent 
Majesty. 

'I'he first and next river's mouth, are the Ke- 
coughtans, who, besides their women and children, 
have not past twenty fighting men. The Pas- 
paheg, on whose land is seated James Town, 
some forty miles from the bay, have not past forty. 
The river called Chickahamania, near two hun- 



OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY. 7 

clre'd and fifty. The Wenorecks, one hundred. 
The Arrowhatocks, thirty. The place called Pow- 
hatan, some forty. On the south side of this river, 
the Apparaaluclucks have sixty fighting men. 
The Quiyougcohanock, twenty-five. The Nandsa- 
munds, two hundred. The Chesapeakes, one 
hundred. Of this last place, the bay beareth the 
name. In all these places, there is a commander 
whidi they call Werowance, except the Chickaha- 
manians, who are governed by the priests and 
their assistants, or their elders, called Cawcawwas- 
soughes. In summer, no place aflfordeth more 
plenty of sturgeon ; nor in winter, more abun- 
dance of fowl in the time of frost. I took once, 
fifty-two sturgeon at a draught, at another sixty- 
eight. From the latter part of May till the end of 
June, are taken few, and tVey are but a yard long. 
From then, till the middle of September, they are 
seldom less than two yards long ; and in four or 
five hours, with one net, there were ordinarily 
taken seven or eight. In the small rivers, there 
are, all the year, plenty of small fish ; so that with 
hooks, those that would take pains, have sufficient. 
Fourteen miles northward from the Powhatan is 
the river Pamaunkee, which is navigable sixty or 
seventy miles, and with small barks thirty or forty 
miles farther. At the ordinary flowing of the salt 
water it divideth itself into two gallant branches. 
On the south side, inhabit the people of Youghta- 
nund, who have about sixty warriors. On the 
north branch, Mattapament, who have thirty men. 
\Where this river is divided, the country is called 



6 CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH's ACCOUNT 

Pamarnkeen, and have near three hundred able 
men. About twenty-five miles lower on the north 
side of this river is Werawocomoco, where their 
great king inhabits, when it was delivered to him 
prisoner, yet they are not past forty able men. 
Ten or twelve miles lower down on this river, is 
Chiskiach which have forty or fifty men. These, 
as also Aparaatuck, Irrohatock, and Powhatan, are 
their great king's chief alliance inhabitants ; the 
rest, his conquests. 

Before we come to the third river that falleth 
from the mountains, there is another river some 
thirty miles navigable, that cometh from the inland, 
called Payankatanke ; the inhabitants are about 
fifty or sixty serviceable men. The third naviga- 
ble river is called Toppahanock. This is naviga- 
ble one hundred and thirty miles. At the top of 
it, inhabit the people, called Mannahocks, among 
the mountains ; but they are above the place we 
described. Upon this river, on the north side, are 
the people Caitatawomen, with thirty fighting men. 
Higher, are the Moraughtacunds, with eighty. 
Beyond them, Rappahannock with one hundred. 
Far above is another, Cattatawomen with twenty. 
On the south, is the pleasant seat of Nantaughta- 
cund, having one hundred and fifty men. This 
river, also, as two former, is replenished with fish 
and fowl. The fourth river is called Patawomeke, 
six or seven miles' in breadth. It is navigable one 
hundred and forty miles, and fed as the rest, with 
many sweet rivers and springs which fall from the 
bordering hills. These hills, many of them are 



OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY. 9 

planted and yield no less plenty and variety of 
fruit than the rivers exceedeth with abundance of 
fish. It is inhabited on both sides : first, on the 
south side, at the very entrance is Wighcocomoco, 
and have one hundred and thirty men. Beyond 
them, Sekacawone, with thirty. The Onawma- 
nient, with one hundred. And the Patawomekes, 
more than two hundred. Here the river divideth 
itself into three or four convenient branches. The 
greatest of the least is called Quiyough, running 
northwest ; but the river itself turning northeast, 
and still navigable stream ; on the west of this 
borough, is Tawnenent, with forty men. On the 
north of this river, is Sewcowocomoed, with forty. 
Somewhat farther, Patapoco, with twenty. In the 
east part is Pamacosack, with sixty. After Mo- 
yowance, with one hundred. And lastly, No- 
cotchtanke, with eighty. The river above this 
place makes its passage down a pleasant valley 
overshaded in many places with high rocks and 
mountains, from whence distil innumerable sweet 
and pleasant springs.. 

The first river is called Pawtuxunt, of a less pro- 
portion than the rest ; but the channel is sixteen 
fathoms deep in some places. Here are infinite 
kinds of fish more than elsewhere. Upon this 
river dwell the people, called Acquintanacksuak, 
Pawtuxunt, and Mattassanient. Two hundred 
men was the greatest strength that there could be 
perceived. But they inhabit together, and not so 
dispersed as the rest ; these of all others, we found 
most civil to give entertainment. 



10 



Thirty leagues northward is a river not in- 
habited but navigable, for the red clay resembling 
bole armoniack, we call it bolus. 

At the end of the bay, where it is six or seven 
miles in breadth, it divideth itself into four branches; 
the best cometh northwest from among the moun- 
tains ; but though canoes may go a-day's jour- 
ney, we could not get two miles with our boats 
for the rocks ; upon it is seated the Sasquesa- 
hanocks, near it north-and-by-west, runneth a creek 
a mile and a half at the head, where the ebb left us 
on shore, where Ave found many trees cut with 
hatchets. The next tide keeping the shore to seek 
for some savages ; for after sailing thirty leagues, 
we saw not any, being but a barren country ; we 
went up another small river six or seven miles. 
From thence, returning, we met seven canoes of 
the Massowomeks with whom we had conference 
by signs, for we understood one another scarce a 
word ; the next day we discovered the small river 
and the people of Tocktohogh tending eastward. 

Having lost our grapnell among the rocks Sus- 
quesahanocks, we were then near 200 miles from 
home, and our barge about two tons, and had in it 
but twelve men to perform this discovery, wherein 
we lay about twelve weeks upon those great 
waters in those unknown countries, having nothing 
but a little meal and water to feed us, and scarce 
half enough of that for half that time, but what 
provisions we got among the savages, and such 
roots as we caught by accident and God's direc- 
tion ; nor had we a mariner, nor any had skill to 



OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY. 11 

trim the sails, but two sailors and myself, the rest 
being gentlemen, or they were as ignorant in such 
toil and labor ; yet necessity in a short time, by 
good words and examples, made them do that, that 
caused them ever after to fear no colors. 

What I did with this small means, I leave to the 
reader to judge, and the map of the country, which 
is but a small matter, in regard of the magnitude 
thereof. But to proceed, sixty of those Susquesa- 
hanocks came to us with skins, bows and arrows, 
targets, beads, swords and tobacco-pipes, for pre- 
sents. Such great and well proportioned men are 
seldom seen, for they seem like giants to the 
English, yea, and to their neighbors, yet seemed of 
an honest and simple disposition, and with much 
ado, restrained from adoring us as God. These 
are the strangest people of all this country, both in 
language and attire, for their language it may well 
be seen, their proportion sounding from them as a 
voice in a vault. Their attire is the skins of bears 
and wolves ; some have cassacks made of bear's 
lieads and skins, that a mans' head goes through 
the skin's neck, and the ears of the bear fasten to 
his shoulders ; the nose and teeth hanging down 
his breast. Another bear's face split behind him ; 
and at the end of the nose hung a paw. The half 
sleeves coming to the elbow, were the neck of 
the bear and arms, through the mouth, with paws 
hanging at their noses. One had the head of a 
wolf hanging in a chain for a jewel ; his tobacco- 
pipe three-quarters of a yard long, prettily carved 
with a bird or deer, or some such device at the 



12 CAPTAIN JOHN SMITh's ACCOUNT 

great end, sufTicient to beat out one's brains, with 
bows, arrows, and clubs, suitable to their great- 
ness. These are scarce known to Powhatan, 
They can make near six hundred able men, and 
have pallisades in their towns to defend themselves 
from the Massawomekes, their mortal enemies. 
Five of their chiefs Weroance came on board with 
us and crossed the bay in their barge. The pic- 
ture of the greatest of them is signified in the map. 
The calf, whose leg was three-quarters of a yard 
about all the limbs so answerable to that propor- 
tion, that he seemed to be the best looking man 
we ever saw. His hair one side was long, the 
other side short close with a ridge over his crown, 
like a cock's comb. His arrows were five-quar- 
ters long, headed with the splinters of a white 
crystal-like stone, in form of a heart, an inch broad 
and an inch and a half long. These he wore in a 
walrus-skin, at his back for his quiver — his bow in 
one hand and his club in the other, as is described. 
On the east side of the bay, is the river Tock- 
whogh, and upon it a people that can make one 
hundred men, seated some seven miles within the 
river where they have a fort very well pallisaded 
and manteled with bark of trees. Next them is 
Oziniteo with sixty men. More to the south of 
that, east side of the bay, the river Rappahannock, 
near unto which is the river Kuscarawaock, upon 
which is seated a people with two hundred men. 
After that is a river Tants Wighcocomoco, on it 
a people with one hundred men. The people of 
those rivers are of little stature, of another language 



OF TIIE CHESAPEAKE BAY. 13 

from the rest, and very rude ; but they on the river 
Acohannock, with forty men ; and they of Aco- 
mack, eighty men, doth equalize any of the terri- 
tories of Powhatan, and speak his language, who, 
over all those, doth rule as king. Southward we 
went to some part of Chowonock, and the Man- 
goags to search for them,' left by Mr. White. 
Among those people, are thus many nations of 
sundry languages, that environs Powhatan's terri- 
tory. The Chawonockes, the Mangoags, the 
Manacans, the Mannahokes, the Masawamekes, 
the Powhatans, the Susquesahanocke, the Alqua- 
nachukes, the Tochwoghes, and the Kuscara- 
waokes. All those, not any one understands one 
another, but by interpreters. Their several habi- 
tations are more plainly described by this annexed 
map, which will present to the eye the way of the 
mountains and current of the rivers, with their 
several turnings, bays, shoals, isles, inlets, and 
creeks, the breadth of the waters, the distance of 
places and such like. In which map, observe this, 
that as far as you see the little crosses on rivers, 
mountains, or other places, have been discovered ; 
the rest was had by information of the savages, 
and are set down according to their instructions. 

Thus have I walked a wayless way, with uncouth 

pace. 
Which yet no Christian man did ever trace ; 
But yet I know this not aifects the mind. 
Which ears doth hear, as that which eyes do find. 
2 



14 INDIAN HISTORY. 



LETTER 

To the most high and virtuous princess, Queene Anne of 
Great Britaine. 

" Most admired Queene — The loue I beare my 
God, my king and coimtrie, hath so oft embi)lden- 
ed mee in the worst of extreme dangers, that now 
honestie doth constraine mee to presume thus farre 
beyond my selfe, to present your Majestie this 
short discourse : if ingratitude be a deadly poyson 
to all honest vertues, 1 must bee guiltie of that crime 
if I should omit any means to be thankfull. So it is, 

" That some ten yeeres agoe being in Virginia, 
and taken prisoner by the power of Powhatan 
their cheife king, I receiued from this great saluage 
exceeding great courtisie, especially from his sonne 
Nataquaus, the most manliest, comliest, boldest 
spirit, I euer saw in a saluage, and his sister Po- 
cahontas^ the king's most dear and well beloued 
daughter, being but a childe of twelue or thirteene 
yeeres of age, whose compassionate pitiful heart, 
of my desperate estate, gane me much cause to re- 
spect her ; 1 being the first Christain this proud 
king and his grim attendants ever saw : and thus in- 
thralled in their barbarous power, I cannot say I 
felt the least occasion of want that was in the pow- 
er of those my mortal foes to preuent, notwithstand^ 
ing all their threats. After some six weeks fatting 
amongst those saluage courtiers, at the minute of 
my execution, she hazarded the beating out of her 
owne braines to saue mine, and not only that, but 
so preuailed with her father, that I was safely con- 



INDIAN HISTORY. 15 

ducted to lames towne, where 1 found about eight 
and thirtie miserable poore and sicke creatures, to 
keep possesion of all those large territories of Vir- 
ginia, such was the weaknesse of this poor com- 
monwealth, as had the saluages not led us, we di- 
rectly had starued. 

'*And this reliefe, most gracious Queene was, 
commonly brought vs by this lady Pocahontas, 
notwithstanding all these passages when inconstant 
Fortune turned our peace to warre, this tender vir- 
gin would still not spare to dare to uisit vs, and by 
her our iarres haue oft beene appeased, and our 
wants still supplied ; were it the policie of her fa- 
ther thus to employ her, or the ordinance of God 
thus to make her his instrument, or her extraordi- 
narie affection to our nation, 1 know not; but of 
this 1 am sure, when her father, with the vtmost 
policie and power, sought to surprize mee, hauing 
but eighteene with mee, the darke nighte could 
not affright her from comming through the irk- 
some woods, and with watered eies gaue mee in- 
telligence, with her best aduice to escape his furie, 
which had hee knowne, he had surely slaine her. 
lames towne with her wilde traine she as freely 
frequented, as her fathers habitation ; and during 
the time of two or three years, she next vnder God, 
w^as still the instrument to preserue this colonic 
from death, famine and vtter confusion, which if in 
those times had been dissolued, Virginia might 
have line as it was at our first arriual to this day. — 
Since then, this business having heene turned and 
uaried by many accidents from that I left it at ; it is 
most certaine, after a long and troublesome warre 



16 INDIAN HISTORY. 

after my departure, betwixt her father and our 
colonie, all which time she was not heard of. about 
two yeeres after shee her selfe was taken prisoner, 
being so detained neere two yeeres longer, the 
colonie by that means was relieiied, peace concluded, 
and at last reiecting her barbarous condition, was 
married to an English gentleman, with whom 
at this present she is in England ; the first Chris- 
tian euer of that nation, the first Virginian euer 
spake in English, or had a child in marriage by an 
KnglisJiman, a matter surely, if my meaning bee 
truly considered and well vnderstood, worthy a 
princess vnderstanding. 

" Thus most gracious Lady, I haue related to 
your Maiestie, what at your best leasure our ap- 
proued histories will account you at large, and done 
in the time your Maiesties life, and howeuer this 
might be presented you from a more worthy pen, 
it cannot from a more honest heart ; as yet 1 neuer 
begged any thing of the state, or any, and it is my 
want of abilitie and her exceeding desert, your 
birth, meanes and authoriiie, her birth, virtue, want 
and simplicitie, doth make mee thus bold, to be- 
seech your Maiestie to take this knowledge of her, 
though it be from one so unworthy to be the re- 
porter, as my self, her husbands estate not being 
able to make her fit to attend your Maiestie ; the 
most and least I can doe, is to tell you this, because 
none so oft hath tried it as my selfe, and the rather 
being of so great a spirit, however her stature : if 
she should not be well received, seeing this king- 
dome may rightly haue a kinddome by her meanes; 
her present loue to vs, and Christianitie, might 



INDIAN HISTORY. 17 

turne to such scorne and furie, as to diuert all this 
good to the worst of euil, where finding so great a 
Queene should doe her some honour more than she 
can imagine, for being so kind to your seruants and 
subjects would so rauish her with content, as en- 
deare her dearest bloud to effect that your Maiestie 
and all the kings honestsubjects most earnestly de- 
sire. And I so humbly kisse your gracious hands." 
" Being about this time preparing to set saile for 
New-England, I could not stay to doe her that 
seruice I desired, and shee well deserued ; but 
hearing shee was at Bravford with diners of my 
friends ; I went to see her : After a modest saluta- 
tion, without any word, she turned about, obscured 
her face, as not seeming well contented ; and in 
that humour her husband, with diners others, we 
all left her two or three hours, repenting my selfe 
to have writ she could speak English. But not 
long after, she began to talk : and remembered me 
well what courtesies shee had done : saying. You 
did promise Powhatan what was yours should bee 
his, be the like to you : you called him father, being 
in his land a stranger, and by the same reason must 
I doe you : which though I have excused, 1 durst 
not allow of that title, because shee was a kings 
daughter : with a well set countenance, she said, 
AVere you not afraid to come into my fathers coiin- 
trie, and caused feare in him and all his people (but 
mee) and feare you here I should call you father : I 
tell you then I will, and you shall call me childe, and 
so 1 will be for euer and euer your countrieman. 
They did tell vs alwaies you were dead, and I 
knew no other till I came to Plimoth ; yet Pow- 
2* 



18 INDIAN HISTORY. 

hatan did command Vitamatokkin to seeke you, 
and know the truth, because your countriemen will 
lie much. 

" This saluage, one of Powhatans councell, 
being amongst them, held an vnderstanding fellow ; 
the king purposely sent him, as they say, to num- 
ber the people here, and informe him well what 
wee were and our state. Arriuing at Plimoth., ac- 
cording to his directions, he got a long sticke, 
whereon by notches he did thinke to haue kept the 
number of all the men he could see, but he was 
quickly wearie of that taske : Coming to London 
where by chance I met him, hauing renewed our 
acquaintance, where many were desirous to heare 
and see his behauiour, hee told mee Powhatan did 
bid him 1o finde me out, to show him our God, the 
king, queene and prince, I so much had told them 
of: Concerning God, 1 told him the best I could, 
the king I heard hee had scene, and the rest hee 
should see when he would : He denied euer to haue 
scene the king, till by circumstances he M-as satis- 
fied hee had : Then hee replied very sadly. You 
gaue Powhatan a white dog, which Powhatan fed 
as himself, but your king gaue me nothing, and I 
am better than your white dog. 

" The small time I staid in London, divers cour- 
ties and others, my acquaintances, hath gone with 
mee to see her, that generally concluded, they did 
thinke God had a great hand in her conuersion, and 
they have scene many English ladies worse fa- 
uored, proportioned and behauored, and as since I 
haue heard, it pleased both king and queenes Ma- 
iestie honourably to esteeme her, accompanied with 



LOCATION. VOTES. 19 

that honourable Lady the Lady De la Ware, and 
that honourable Lord her husband, and diuers other 
persons, good qualities, both publickly at the maskes 
and otherwise, to her great satisfaction and content, 
which doubtless she would have deserued, had she 
lined to arriue in Virginia." 

The bill for locating a district of territory not 
exceeding ten miles square on the Potomac, " be- 
tween the mouths of the Eastern Branch and Co- 
nogochagce," originated in the U. States Senate, 
finally passed in the House of Representatives on 
the 9th, and received the executive sanction on the 
16th, of July, 1790. The following is the vote on 
its passage in the Senate, on the 1st June, 1790 : 

Yeas — Messrs Basset, Butler, Carroll, Elmer, 
Gunn, Hawkins, Henry, Johnson, Langdon, Lee, 
Maclay, Morris, Read, and Walker. — 14. 

Nays — Messrs Dalton, Ellsworth, Few, Fos- 
ter, Johnson, Izard, King, Patterson, Schuyler, 
Stanton, Strong, and Wingate. — 12. 

In the house, four distinct propositions were 
made, in the shape of amendments, to change the 
seat of the Federal district, by motions to strike 
out the " Potomac," &:c., and insert some other 
location — 

1st. To substitute the Delaware instead of the 
Potomac, ayes 22 — Jioes 39. 

2d. " In the state of Pennsylvania, including 
Germantown" ayes 22 — noes 39. 

3d. " Between the Susquehannah and Potomac," 
&c., ayes 25 — noes 36. 



20 VOTES. ACT OF LOCATION. 

4th. " State of Maryland, including Baltimore," 
&c., ayes 26 — noes 34. 

The following is the vote on its final passage in 
the House — 

Ayes — John B. Ashe, Baldwin, Bloodworth, 
Brown, Cadwalader, Carroll, Ciymer, Coles, Con- 
tee, Fitzsimons, Gale, Griffin, Hartley, Heister, 
Jackson, R. B. Lee, xMadison, Mathews, Moore, 
Muhlenberg, Page, Parker, Scott, Sevier, Sin- 
nickson, Steele, M. J. Stone, Sumpter, Vining, 
White, WilHamson and Wynkoop. — 32. 

Noes — Fisher Ames, Benson, Boudhiot, Burke, 
Floyd, Foster, Gerry, Gilman, Goodhue, Grout, 
Hathorn, Huntington, Lawrence, Leonard, Liver- 
more, Patridge, Van Rensselaer, Scliureman, 
Sedgwick, Seney, Sherman, Silvester, Smith of 
Md., Smith of S. C, Sturges. Thatcher, Trum- 
bull, Ths. T. Tucker, and Wadsworth.— 29. 

The law as it passed both Houses of Congress, 
and received the sanction of the President, is as 
follows : — 

AN ACT 

For establishing the temporary and permanent seat of the 
government of the Untied States. 

Sec. 1. Be it enactedby the Senate and House 
ofBepresentatives of the United States of America 
in Congress assembled, That a district of terri- 
tory not exceeding ten miles square, to be located 
as hereafter directed, on the river Potomac, at some 
space between the mouths of the Eastern Branch 
and Conogocheague, be, and the same is hereby 
accepted for the permament seat of the government 



ACT OF LOCATION. 21 

of the United States : Provided nevertheless. That 
the operation of the laws of the state wiiliin such 
district shall not be affected by tliis acceptance un- 
til the time tixed for the removal of the go\ eminent 
thereto, and until congress shall otherwise by law 
provide. 

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted. That the 
president of the United States be authorized to ap- 
point, and by supplying vacancies happening from 
refusals to act or other causes, to keep in appoint- 
ment as long as may be necessary, three cojnmis- 
sioners, who, or any two of whom, shall, under 
the direction of the president, survey, and by pro- 
per metes and bounds define and limit a district of 
territory, under the limitations above mentioned ; 
and the district so defined, limited, and located, 
shall be deemed the district accepted by this act, 
for the permanent seat of the government of the 
United States. 

Sec. 3. Jind he it enacted. That the said com- 
missioners, or any two of them, shall have power 
to purchase or accept such quantity of land on the 
eastern side of the said river, within the said dis- 
trict, as the president shall deem proper for the use 
of the United States, and according to such plans 
as the president shall approve, the said commis- 
sioners, or any two of them, shall, prior to the first 
Monday in December, in the year one thousand 
eight hundred, provide suitable buildings for the 
accommodation of congress, and of the president, 
and for the public ofKces of the government of the 
United States. 

Sec. ^. Jind he it enacted, That for defraying 
the expense of such purchases and buildings, the 



22 

president of the United States be authorized and re- 
quested to accept grants of money. 

Sec. 5. Jind be it enacted, That prior to the first 
Monday in December next, all offices attached to 
the seat of the government of the U. States, shall 
be removed to, and until the said first Monday in 
December, in the year one thousand eight hundred, 
shall remain at the city of Philadelphia, in the state 
of Pennsylvania, at which place the session of con- 
gress next ensuing the present shall be held. 

Sec. 6. And he it enacted. That on the said first 
Monday in December, in the year one thousand 
eight hundred, the seat of the government of the 
United States, shall, by virtue of this act be trans- 
ferred to the district and place aforesaid. And all 
offices attached to the said seat of government, shall 
accordingly be removed thereto by their respec- 
tive holders, and shall, after the said day, cease to 
be exercised elsewhere ; and that the necessary 
expense of such removal shall be defrayed out of 
the duties on impost, and tonnage, of which a suffi- 
cient sum is hereby appropriated. 

July 16, \19{i:—\_Jlpproved.'] 

George Washington, 
President of the United States, 



PROCLAMATION 

By the President of the United States of America. 

Whereas, the general assembly of the state of 
Maryland, by an act passed on the 23d day of 



23 

December, 1788, entitled, "An act to cede to 
Congress a district of ten miles square in this state, 
for the seat of the government of the U. States,'* 
did enact, that the representatives of the said state, 
in the House of Representatives of the Congress 
of llie United St.ites, appointed to assemble at New- 
York, on the first Wednesday of March then next 
ensuing, should be, and they were hereby author- 
ized and required, on behalf of the said state, to 
cede to the Congress of the United States any dis- 
trict in the said state, not exceeding ten miles 
square, which the Congress might fix upon and 
accept for the seat of government of the United 
States. 

And the general assembly of the commonwealth 
of Virginia, by an act passed on the third day of 
December, 1789, and entitled '' An act for the ces- 
sion of ten miles square, or any lesser quantity of 
territory within this state, to the United States in 
Congress assembled, for the permanent seat of the 
general government," did enact, that a tract of 
country not exceeding ten miles square or any les- 
ser quantity to be located within the limits of the 
said state, and in any part thereof, as Congress 
might by law direct, should be, and the same was 
thereby forever ceded and relinquished to the Con- 
gress and government of the United States, in full 
and absolute right, and exclusive jurisdiction, as 
■well of soil as of persons residing, or to reside, 
thereon, pursuant to the tenor and effect of the 
eighth section of the first article of the constitution 
of gpvernment of the United States. 

Aiid the Congress of the United States, by their 



24 president's proclamatiox. 

act passed the 16th day of July, 1790. and entitled 
*' An a(rt for esiablishing the temporary and per- 
manent seat of the government of the United 
States," authorized the President of the United 
States to appoint three commissioners, to survey 
imder his (Hrection, and by proper metes and 
bounds, to limit a district of territory, not exceed- 
ing ten miles square, on tbe river Potomac, alsoms 
place between the mouth of the Eastern Branch 
and Oonococheague, which district, so to be located 
and limited, was accepted by the said act of Con- 
gress, as the district for the permanent seat of the 
government of the United States. 

" Now therefore, in pursuance of the powers to 
me confided, and atter duly examining and weigh- 
ing the advantages and disadvantages of the several 
situations within the limits, aforesaid, I do hereby 
declare and make known, that the location of on'i 
p;irt of the said district of ten miles square, shall 
be found by running four lines of experiment in 
the following manner, that is to say ; running from 
the court house in Alexandria, in Virginia, due 
south-west half a mile, and thence a due south- 
east course, till it shall strike Hunting Creek, to 
fix the beginning of the said four lines of experi- 
ment : 

*' Then beginning the first of the said four lines 
of experiment at the point on Hunting Creek, where 
the said south-east course shall have stnick the 
sanae, and running the said first line due northwest 
ten miles ; thence the second line into Maryland, 
due north-east ten miles ; thence the third line du© 
^oiUh-east ten miles ; and thence the fourth line due 



president's proclamation. 25 

south-west ten miles, to the beginning on Hunting 
Creek. 

" And the said four lines of experiment being so 
run, I do hereby declare and make known, that 
part withhi the said four lines of experiment which 
shall be within the slate of Maryland, and above 
the Eastern Branch, and all that part within the 
same four lines of experiment which shall be with- 
in the commonwealth of Virginia, and above aJine 
to be run from the point of land forming the Up- 
per Cape of the mouth of the Eastern Branch due 
south-west, and no more, is now fixed upon and 
directed to be surveyed, defined, limited and loca- 
ted for a part of the said district accepted by the 
said act of Con.f^ress for the permanent seat of the 
government of the United States ; hereby express- 
ly reserving the direction of the survey and location 
of the remaining part of the said district, to be 
made iiereafter contiguous to such part or parts of 
the present location as is or shall be agreeably to 
law. 

" And I do accordingly direct the said commis- 
sioners, appointed agreeably to the tenor of the 
said act, to proceed forthwith to run the said lines 
of experiment, nnd the same being run, to survey, 
and by proper metes and bounds, to define and limit 
the part within the same, which is herein before 
directed for in.mediate location and acceptance ; and 
thereof to make due report to me, under their hands 
and seals. 

" In testimony whereof, I have caused the seal of 
the U. States to be affixed to these presents, 
and signed the same with my hand. Don© at 
3 



26 



the City of Philadelphia, the 24th day of Ja- 
nuary, in the year of our Lord 1791, and of 
the Independence of the United States the 
fifteenth. 

" George Washington. 
By the President, Thomas Jefferson." 



PROCLAMATION 

[Amendatory,'] by the President of the U. S. of America, 

" Whereas, by a proclamation, bearing date the 
24th day of January, of this present year, and ia 
pursuance of certain acts of the states of Maryland 
and Virgh;jia, and of the Congress of the United 
States therein mentioned, certain lines of experi- 
ment were directed to be run in the neighborhood 
of Georgetown, in Maryland, for the purpose of 
detennining the location of a part of the territory of 
ten miles square, for the permanent seat of the 
government of the United States ; and a certain part 
was directed to be located within the said lines of 
experiment on both sides of the Potomac, and above 
the limit of the Eastern Branch, prescribed by the 
said act of Congress — 

" And Congress, by an amendatory act, passed 
on the 3d day of this present month of March, 
have given further authority to the president of the 
United States ' to make any part of the said terri- 
tory, below the same limit, and above the mouth 
of Hunting Creek, a part of the said district, so as 
to include a convenient part of the Eastern Branch 



president's proclamation. 27 

and of the lands lying on the lower side thereof, 
and also the town of Alexandria.' 

" Now therefore, for the purpose of amending 
and completing the location of the whole of the 
said territory of ten miles square, in conformity 
with the said amendatory act of Congress I do here- 
by declare and make known that the whole of the 
said territory shall be located and included within 
the four lines following, that is to say : — 

" Beginning at Jones' Point, being the upper 
cape of Hunting Creek in Virginia, and at an angle 
in the outset of 45 degrees west of the north, and 
running in a direct line ten miles for the first line ; 
then beginning again at the same Jones' Point, and 
running another direct line at a right angle with the 
first, across the Potomac, ten miles, for the second 
line ; then from the terminations of the said first 
and second line, running two other direct lines, 
of ten miles each, the one crossing the Eastern 
Branch aforesaid and the other the Potomac, and 
meeting each other in a point. 

" Andl do accordingly direct the commissioners, 
named under the authority of the said first mention- 
ed act of Congress, to proceed forthwith to have 
the said four lines run, and by proper metes and 
bounds defined and limited, and thereof to make 
due report under their hands and seals ; and the ter- 
ritory so to be located, defined, and limited, shall 
be the whole territory accepted by the said act of 
Congress, as the district for the permanent seat of 
the government of the United States. 

'* In testimony whereof, I have caused the seal of 
the United States to be affixed to these pre- 
sents, and signed the same with my hand. 



28 RATIFICATION OF 

Done at Georgetown aforesaid, the 30th day 
of March, in the year of our Lord, 1791, and 
of the Independence of the United States the 
fifteenth. 

" George Washington. 

** By the President. Thomas Jefferson." 



AN ACT 

\0f Maryland] concerning the Territory of Columbia, 
and the City of Washington. 

" Whereas, the president of the United States, 
by virtue of several acts of congress, and acts of the 
assemblies of Virginia and Maryland, by his pro- 
clamation, dated at Georgetown, on the thirtieth 
day of March, seventeen hundred and ninety-one, 
did declare aud make known, that the whole of the 
territory of ten miles square, for the permanent 
seat of government of the United States, shall be lo- 
cated and included within the four lines following, 
that is lo say : Beginning at Jones' Point, being 
the upper part of Hunting Creek, in Virginia, and 
at an angle in the outset of forty-live degrees west 
of north, and running a direct line ten miles for the 
first line, then beginning again at the same Jones' 
Point, and running another direct line at a right an- 
gle with the first across the Potomac, ten miles, for 
the second line, then from the terminations of the 
said first and second lines, running two other direct 
lines ten miles each, the one crossing the Eastern 
Branch, and the other Potomac, and meeting each 



CESSION BY MARYLAND. 29 

Other in a point ; which has since been called the 
Territory of C.olumbia : And whereas Notley 
Young, Daniel Carroll, of Duddington, and many 
others, proprietors of the greater part of the land 
hereinafter mentioned to have been laid out in a 
city, came into an agreement, and have conveyed 
their lands in trust to Thomas Beall, son of George, 
and John Mackall Gantt, whereby they have sub- 
jected their lands to be laid out as a city, given 
up part to the United States, and subjected other 
parts to be sold to raise money as a donation to 
be employed according to the act of congress 
for establishing the temporary and permanent 
seat of the government of the United States, under 
and upon the terms and conditions contained in each 
of the said deeds ; and many of the proprietors of 
lots in Carrollsburg and Hamburgh, have also come 
into an agreement, subjecting their lots to be laid 
out anew, giving up one-half of the quantity there- 
of to be sold, and the money thence arising to be 
applied as a donation as aforesaid, and they to be 
reinstated in one-half of the quantity of their lots in 
the new location, or otherwise compensated in land 
in a different situation within the city, by agree- 
ment between the commissioners and them, and in 
case of disagreement, that then a just and full com- 
pensation shall be made in money ; yet some of the 
proprietors of lots in Carrollsburg and Hamburg, as 
well as some of the proprietors of other lands, have 
not, from imbecility and other causes, come into 
any agreement concerning their lands within the 
limits hereinafter mentioned, but a very great pro- 
portion of the land-holders having agreed on the 
3* 



30 RATIFICATION OF 

same terms, the President of the U. States, directed 
a city to be laid out, comprehending all the lands 
beginning on the east side of Rock Creek, at a stone 
standing in the middle of the road leading from 
Georgetown to Bladensburg, thence along the mid- 
dle of the said road, to a stone standing on the east 
side of the reedy branch of Goose Creek, thence 
southeasterly, making an angle of sixty-one degrees 
^ and twenty minutes with the meridian, to a stone 
' standing in the road leading from Bladensburg to 
the Eastern Branch Ferry, then south to a stone 
eighty poles north of the east and west line, already 
drawn from the mouth of Goose Creek to the 
Eastern Branch, then east, parallel to the said 
east and west line, to the Eastern Branch, then 
with the waters of the Eastern Branch, Poto- 
mac river and Rock Creek, to the beginning, 
which has since been called t]\c city of Wash- 
ington : And whereas it appears to this general 
assembly highly just and expedient, that all the 
lands within the said city should contribute, in due 
proportion, in the means which have already very 
greatly enhanced the value of the whole ; that 
an incontrovertible title ought to be made to the 
purchasers, under public sanction ; that allowing 
foreigners to hold land within the ''aid territory, 
will greatly contribute to the improvement and 
population thereof; and that many temporary pro- 
visions will be necessary till congress exercise the 
jurisdiction and government over the said territory : 
And whereas, in the cession of this state heretofore 
made, of territory, for the government of the 
United States, the lines of such cession could not be 
particularly designated ; and it being expedient and 



CESSION BY MARYLAND. 31 

proper that the same should be recognized in the 
acts of this state : — 

*' 2. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of 
Maryland, That all that part of the said territory, 
called Columbia, which lies within the limits of 
this state, shall be and the same is hereby acknow- 
ledged to be forever ceded and relinquished to the 
congress and government of the United States, in 
full and absolute right, and exclusive jurisdiction, 
as well of soil as of persons residing, or to reside 
thereon, pursuant to the tenor and effect of the 
eighth section of the first article of the constitution 
of government of the United States : Provided^ 
That nothing herein contained shall be so con- 
structed to vest in the United States any right of 
property in the soil, as to effect the rights of indi- 
viduals therein, otherwise than the same shall or 
may be transferred by such individuals to the 
United States. Jind provided also. That the 
jurisdiction of the laws of this state, over ihe per- 
sons and property of individuals residing within 
the limits of the cession aforesaid, shall not cease 
or determine until congress shall, by law, provide 
for the government thereof, under their jurisdic- 
tion, in manner provided by the article of the con- 
stitution before recited. 

*' 3. And be it enacted. That all the lands be- 
longing to minors, persons absent out of the state, 
married women, or persons non comjws mentis^ 
or lands the property of this state, within the 
limits of Carrollsburgh and Hamburgh, shall be and 
are hereby subjected to the terms and conditions 
herein before recited, as to the lots where the pro- 
prietors thereof have agreed concerning the same ; 



32 RATIFICATION of 

and all the other lands, belonging as aforesaid, 
within the limits of the said city of Washington, 
shall be, and are hereby subjected to the same 
terms and conditions as the said Notley Young, 
Daniel Carroll, of Duddington, and others, have by 
their said agreements and deeds, subjected their 
lands to, and where no conveyances have been 
made, the legal estate and trust are hereby invested 
in the said Thomas Beall, son of George, and John 
Mackall Gantt, in the same manner as if each pro- 
prietor had been competent to make, and had made, 
a legal conveyance of his or her land, according to 
the form of those already mentioned, with proper 
acknowledgments of the execution thereof, and 
where necessary, of release of dower, and in every 
case where the proprietor is an infant, a married 
woman, insane, absent out of the state, or shall 
not attend on three months' advertisements of no- 
tice in the Maryland Journal and Baltimore Ad- 
vertiser, the Maryland Herald, and in the George- 
town and Alexandria papers, so that allotment can- 
not take place by agreement, the commissioners 
aforesaid, or any two of them, may allot and 
assign the portion or share of such proprietor as 
near the old situation as may be, in Carrollsburgh 
and Hamburgh, and to the full value of what the 
party might claim under the terms before recited ; 
and, as to the other lands within. the said city, the 
commissioners aforesaid, or any two of them, 
shall make such allotment and assignment, within 
the lands belonging to the same person, in alternate 
lots, determining by lot or ballot, whether the 
party shall begin with the lowest number : Pro- 
vided, That in the cases of coverture and infancy, 



CESSION BY MARYLAND. 33 

if the husband, guardian, or next friend, will agree 
with the commissioners, or any two of them, then 
an effectual division may be made by consent ; and 
in case of contrary claims, if the claimants will not 
joindy agree, the commissioners may proceed as 
if the proprietor was absent ; and all persons to 
whom allotments and assignments of lands shall be 
made by the commissioners, or any two of them, 
on consent and agreement, or pursuant to this act 
without consent, shall hold the same in their 
former estate and interest, and in lieu of their 
former quantity, and subject in every respect, to 
all such limitations, conditions, and incumbrances, 
as their former estate and interest, in lieu of their 
former quantity, and subject, in every respect, to 
all such limitations, conditions, and incumbrances, 
as their former estates and interests were subject 
to, and as if the same had been actually reconveyed 
pursuant to said deed in trust. 

"4. And be it enacted, That where the propri- 
etor or proprietors, possessor or possessors, of any 
lands within the limits of the city of Washington, 
or within the limits of Carollsburgh or Hamburgh, 
who have not already, or who shall not, within 
three months after the passage of this act, execute 
deeds in trust to the aforesaid Thomas Beall and 
John M. Gantt, of all their lands within the limits 
of the said city of Washington, and on the terms 
and conditions mentioned in the deeds already exe- 
cuted by Notley Young, and others, and execute 
deeds in trust to the said Thomas Beall and John 
M. Gantt, of all their lots in the towns of Carrolls- 
burgh and Hamburgh, on the same terms and con- 
ditions contained in the deeds already executed by 



34 RATIFICATION OF 

the greater part of the proprietors of lots in the 
said towns, the said commissioners, or any two of 
them, shall and may, at any time or times there- 
after, issue a process, directed to the sheriff of 
Prince George's county, commanding him, in the 
name of the state, to summon five good substantial 
freeholders, who are not of kin to any proprietor 
or proprietors of the lands aforesaid, and who are 
not proprietors themselves, to meet on a certain 
day, and at a certain place, within the limits of the 
said city, to inquire of the value of the estate of 
such proprietor or proprietors, possessor or pos- 
sessors, on which day and place the said sheriff 
shall attend, with the freeholders by him sum- 
moned ; which freeholders shall take the following 
oath, or afhrmation, on the land to be by them 
valued, to wit : ' I, A B, do solemnly swear, (or 
affirm,) that I will, to the best of my judgment, 
value the lands of C D, now to be valued, so as to 
do equal right and justice to the said C D, and to 
the public, taking into consideration all circum- 
stances,' and shall then proceed to value the said 
lands ; and such valuation, under their hands and 
seals, and under the hand and seal of the said she- 
riff, shall be annexed to the said process, and 
returned by the sheriff to the clerk appointed by 
virtue of this act, who shall make record of the 
same, and the said lands shall, on the payment of 
such valuation, be and is hereby vested in the said 
commissioners in trust, to be disposed of by them, 
or otherwise employed to the use of the said city 
of Washington ; and the sheriff aforesaid, and free- 
holders aforesaid, shall be allowed the same fees 
for their trouble as are allowed to a sheriff and jury- 



CESSION BY MARYLAND. 35 

man in executing a writ of inquiry ; and in all 
cases where the proprietor or possessor is tenant 
in right of dower, or by the courtesy, the free- 
holders aforesaid shall ascertain the annual value 
of the lands, and the gross value of such estate 
therein, and upon paying such gross value, or 
securing to the possessor the payment of the an- 
nual valuation, at the option of the proprietor or 
possessor, the commissioners shall be, and are 
hereby vested with the whole estate of such tenant, 
in manner, and for the uses and purposes afore- 
' said. 

i "5. And he it enacted, That all the squares, 
lots, pieces and parcels of land within the said city, 
which have been or shall be appropriated for the use 
of the United States, and also the streets, shall 
remain and be for the use of the United States ; 
j and all the lots and parcels, which have been, or 
shall be sold to raise money as a donation as afore- 
said, shall remain and be to the purchasers, accord- 
ing to the terms and conditions of their respective 
purchase ; and purchases and leases from private 
' persons claiming to be proprietors, and having, or 
I those under whom they claim having been in the 
I possession of the lands purchased or leased, in 
their own right, five whole years next before the 
passing of this act, shall be good and effectual for 
the estate, and on the terms and conditions of such 
purchases and leases respectively, without im- 
peachment, and against any contrary title now ex- 
isting ; but if any person hath made a conveyance, 
or ehall make a conveyance or lease, of any lands 
within the limits of the said city, not having right 



36 RATIFICATION OF 

and title to do so, the person who might be entided 
to recover the land under a contrary title now ex- 
isting, may, either by way of ejectment against the 
tenant, or in an action for money had and received 
for his use against the bargainer or lessor, his heirs, 
executors, administrators, or devisees, as the case 
may require, recover all money received by him for 
the squares, pieces, or parcels, appropriated for the 
use of the United States, as well as for lots or 
parcels sold, and rents received, by the person not 
having title as aforesaid, with interest from the 
time of the receipt ; and, on such recovery in eject- 
ment, where the land is in lease, the tenant 5hall 
thereafter hold under, and pay the rent reserved to, 
the person making title to and recovering ihe land ; 
but the possession bona fide acquired, in none of 
the said cases shall be changed. 

" 6. And he it enacted, That any foreigner 
may, by deed or will hereafter to be made, take 
and hold lands within that part of the said territory 
which lies within this state, in the same manner 
as if he was a citizen of this state, and the same 
lands may be conveyed by him, and transmitted to, 
and be inherited by, his heirs or relations, as if he 
and they were citizens of this state : Provided, that 
no foreigner shall, in virtue hereof, be entitled to 
any further or other privilege of a citizen. 

" 7. And be it enacted, That the said commis- 
sioners, or any two of them, may appoint a clerk 
for recording deeds of lands within the said terri- 
tory, who shall provide a proper book for the pur- 
pose, and therein record, in a strong legible hand, 
all deeds, duly acknowledged, of lands in the said 



CESSION BY MARYLAND. 37 

territory, delivered to him to be recorded, and in 
the same book make due entries of all divisions 
and allotments of lands and lots made by the com- 
missioners in pursuance of this act, and certificates 
granted by them of sales, and the purchase money 
having been paid, with a proper alphabet in the 
same book of the deeds and entries aforesaid, and 
the same book shall carefully preserve, and deliver 
over to the commissioners aforesaid, or their suc- 
cessors, or such person or persons as Congress 
shall hereafter appoint ; which clerk shall continue 
such during good behaviour, and shall be removable 
only on conviction of misbehaviour in a court of 
law ; but before he acts as such, he shall take an 
oath, or affirmation, well and truly to execute his 
office ; and he shall be entitled to the same fees as 
are or may be allowed* to the clerks of the county 
courts for searchers, copying, and recording. 

" 8. Jind be it enacted^ That acknowledgments 
of deeds made before a person in the manner and 
certified as the laws of this state direct, or made 
before, and certified by, either of the commis- 
sioners, shall be eflfectual ; and that no deed here- 
after to be made, of or for lands within that part of 
the said territory which lies within this state, shall 
operate as a legal conveyance, nor shall any lease 
for more than seven years be effectual, unless the 
deed shall have been acknowledged as aforesaid, 
and delivered to the said clerk to be recorded within 
six calnedar months from the date thereof. 

*' 9. And he it enacted, That the commis- 
sioners aforesaid, or some two of them, shall direct 
an entry to be made in the said record book of 
4 



38 RATIFICATION OF 

every allotment or assignment to the respective 
proprietors in pursuance of this act. 

*' 10. And, for the encouragement of master- 
builders to undertake the building- and finishing 
houses within the said city, by securing to them a 
just and effectual remedy for their advances and 
earnings, he it enacted, That for all sums due and 
owing on written contracts, for the building any 
house in the said city, or the brick work, or car- 
penter's or joiner's work thereon, the undertaker, 
or workmen, employed by the person for whose 
use the house shall be built, shall have a lien on 
the house and the ground on which the same is 
erected, as well as for the materials found by him ; 
provided the said written contract shall have been 
acknowledged before one of the commissioners, 
a justice of the peace, or an alderman of the corpo- 
ration of Georgetown, and recorded in the office of 
the clerk for recording deeds herein created, within 
six calendar months from the time of acknow- 
ledgment as aforesaid ; and if within two years 
after the last of the work is done, he proceeds in 
equity, he shall have remedy as upon a mortgage, 
or if he proceeds at law within the same time, he 
may have execution against the house and land, in 
whose hands soever the same may be ; but this 
remedy shall be considered as additional only j 
nor shall, as to the land, take place of any legal 
incumbrance made prior to the commencement of 
such claim. 

*' 11. And be it enactedy That the treasurer of 
the vt^estern-shore be empowered and required to 
pay the seventy'two thousand dollars agreed to be 



CESSION BY MARYLAND. 39 

advanced to the President by resolutions of the last 
session of assembly, in sums as the same may 
come to his hands on the appointed funds without 
waiting for the day appointed for the payment 
thereof. 

" 12. And be it enacted, That the commis- 
sioners aforesaid for the time being, or any two of 
them, shall, from time to time, until congress shall 
exercise the jurisdiction and government within 
the said territory, have power to license the build- 
ing of wharfs in the waters of the Potomac and the 
Eastern Branch adjoining the said city, of the 
materials, in the manner, and of the extent, they 
may judge durable, convenient, and agreeing with 
general order; but no license shall be granted to 
one to build a wharf before the land of another, 
nor shall any wharf be built in the said waters 
without license as aforesaid ; and if any wharf 
shall be built without such license, or different 
therefrom, the same is hereby declared a common 
nuisance ; they may also, from time to time, make 
regulations for the discharge and laying of ballast 
from ships or vessels lying in Potomac river, above 
the lower line of the said territory and George- 
town, and from ships and vessels lying in the 
Eastern Branch : they may also, from time to 
time, make regulations for landing and laying 
materials for buildiug the said city, for disposing 
and laying earth which may be dug out of the 
wells, cellars, and foundations, and for ascertain- 
ing the thickness of the walls of houses, and to 
enforce the observance of all such regulations, by 
appointuig penalties for the breach of any one of 



40 THE RIVER POTOMAC. 

them, not exceeding ten pounds current money, 
which may be recovered in the name of the said 
commissioners, by warrant, before a justice of the 
peace, as in case of small debts, and disposed of 
as a donation for the purpose of the said act of con- 
gress ; and the said commissioners, or any two of 
them may grant licenses for retailing distilled 
spirits within the limits of the said city, and sus- 
pend or declare the same void ; and if any person 
shall retail or sell any distilled spirits, mixed or 
unmixed, in less quantity than ten gallons to the 
same person, or at the same time actually de- 
livered, he or she shall forfeit for every such sale, 
three pounds, to be recovered and applied as afore- 
said. 

*' 13. And he it enacted, That an act of assem- 
bly of this state, to condemn lands, if necessary, 
for the public buildings of the United States, be 
and is hereby repealed. 



THE RIVER POTOMAC, 

Which passes through the District, is one of 
the finest in the United States. It takes its rise in 
the Alleghany Mountains ; and after a winding 
course of about four hundred miles, falls into the 
Chesapeake Bay. During its course it receives 
many additional streams, the most important of 
which are the Shenandoah, the Monocacy, the 
Conegocheague, Patterson Creek, and Opechon 
Creek. The Shenandoah, after running through 



THE RIVER POTOMAC. 41 

X\\e Limestone Valley, two hundred and fifty miles, 
joins the Potomac, just before that river makes its 
opening through the Blue Ridge mountains. Both 
these rivers, by means of locks and canals, have 
been rendered navigable for a great part of their 
course. The Potomac is navigable for line-of-bat- 
tle ships, up to the Eastern Branch, at Washing- 
ton, and for large boats to Fort Cumberland. The 
Shenandoah is navigable for boats from Port Re- 
public to its junction with the Potomac. 

The Shenandoah river, from Port Republic, till 
within eight miles of the Potomac, a distance of 
nearly two hundred miles, has a gradual descent 
of about two feet in the mile, except the last eight, 
of which the descent is ten feet. By means of 
locks and canals, this river is now navigable from 
its mouth to Port Republic ; and it is proposed to 
extend the navigation much farther, by the middle 
fork; from this place to the mouth of Lewis's 
Creek, and from thence to Staunton. There are five 
locks each, of one hundred feet long and twelve feet 
wide, and six canals, each twenty feet in breadth, 
and four and a half feet in depth, extending two 
thousand four hundred yards. The water of all 
the canals is supplied by the river. The boat navi- 
gation of the north, or main branch of the Poto- 
mac now extends to Western Port, near its source, 
a distance of two hundred and nineteen miles 
above tide water. 

The south branch of the Potomac is navigable 
one hundred miles from its junction with this 
river, and the north fork about sixty miles. 

The Monocacy, which falls into the Potomac, 
4* 



42 THE RIVER POTOMAC. 

about fifty miles above Washinsiton, is navigable 
about forty miles. Coueo-ocheague Creek, twenty- 
four miles. Patterson Creek, about the same dis- 
tance. The Opechon Creek, twenty-five miles, 
and the Cape Cacapon, twenty. 

The boats employed for the navigation of these 
rivers, are seventy-five feet in length, five feet 
wide, draw- eighteen inches water, and carry 
twenty tons burthen. Two of them, with more 
than one hundred ban-els of flour, pass the locks of 
the great falls in one hour, and it rarely happens 
that the boat or cargo is injured. 

The following is a comparative estimate o( the 
transportation of a barrel of flour by land and water, 
to the tide water of the Potomac : — 

By land-carriage from Cumberland, 8 2 25 

By water from do 1 33 

By land-carriage from "Williams Port, 1 50 

By water from do 1 00 

By land-carriage from Harper's Ferry, 1 50 

By water from do 1 00 

Could the bed of the river be so cleared as to 
admit more boats, and those of greater burthen, no 
doubt this expense would be still much reduced. 

The Potomac Company, incorporated by acts of 
the states of Maryland and Virginia, in the year 
1784, have done much to improve the navigation 
of the river, but much yet remains to be done. 
The capital stock of this company consisted of 
seven hundred and one shares ; which at four hun- 
dred and forty-four dollars and four-ninths, the 
value of each share, amounted to three hundred 



THE RIVER POTOMAC. 43 

and eleven thousand five hundred and sixty dol- 
lars. Of these shares, two hundred and twenty- 
are the property of the state of Maryland, and 
seventy of Virginia. — The company has power to 
increase that capital by additional shares. The 
particular management and inspection of the works, 
are confided to a president and five directors, 
elected for a term not exceeding three years, and 
invested with powers to appoint the treasurer, 
clerk, and other officers. The shareholders meet 
once a year, and vote according to their number of 
shares ; one hundred of which constitute a quo- 
rum, to whom all proceedings is communicated. 
Every ten shares, and every fifth share above ten, 
give a vote. The shares of defaulters are sold 
publicly. Foreigners not naturalized may be sub- 
scribers. The fund is still unproductive, as the 
annual amount of tolls and tonnage has been chiefly 
expended on the improvement of the navigation. 

In the year 1810, a lottery was granted to this 
company, for raising three hundred thousand dol- 
lars. The first class of this lottery has been 
drawn. 

The utility of this work is now in a great mea- 
sure superseded by the Ohio and Chesapeake Ca- 
nal. This great work was commenced on the 4th 
day of July, 1828, near Georgetown, D. C. John 
Q. Adams, the then President of the United States, 
dug the first spadeful of earth amidst the shouts of 
the multitude and enlivening strains of music : the 
spade being handed by Col. Mercer, president of 
the company. 

By the report of the president of the Chesa- 



44 FISHERIES. 

peake and Ohio Canal Company, and the other 
proper officers, it appears that the entire length of 
the line, from Georgetown to Cumberland, is one 
hundred and eighty-four miles. From George- 
town to dam No. 5, seven miles above Williams- 
port, a distance of one hundred and seven miles is 
now navigable. From dam No. 5, to dam No. 6, 
at the Great Cacapon, twenty-seven miles, is under 
contract and the work is in progress. From dam 
No. 6 to Cumberland, is fifty miles, including the 
tunnel, deep cut at Old Town, and other works, is 
also under contract. 

By the same report, it appears that five mil- 
lion, nine hundred and fifty-eight thousand, five 
hundred and twenty-seven dollars, and forty-three 
cents, have been expended ; and that three hun- 
dred and forty-eight thousand, two hundred and 
sixty-five dollars, and forty-eight cents remain on 
hand unexpended. 



FISHERIES. 

The following account of the fish caught in the 
Potomac, is given by Mr. Blodget. 

Mean Weight. 

Sturgeon, Accipenser Sturgeo, fr. 40 to 150 lbs. 
Rock Fish, Sparus calo cephalus, 1 to 75 
Shad, Culpea, - - - 6 

, White, - - - 

, Taylor, - - - 3 

, Winter, - - - - ^ oz. 



FISHERIES. 



45 



Mean Weight. 

Gar, Eson belone, - - - 6 

, Green, - - - - 2 oz. 

Eel, Fresh water, Muraena angilla, 3 

, Common, - - - H 

, Tide water, - - - 

Carp, Cypienus carpio, - - 3 

Herring, Clupea harengus, - 3 

Pike, Eson lucius, - - - 2 
Perch, Perca fleuvatillis, - 

, White, - - - - 1 

, Yellow, . - - 1 

, Sun, - - - - k 

Mullet, Mugul cephalus, - 

, Fine scaled, - - - 1 

, Coarse scaled, - - h. 

Smelt, Salmo eperlanus, 

There is no place in the United States where 
shad is more plenty, nor of a better quality than 
that caught in the Potomac. The Belvoir or 
White House Fishery, formerly belonging to the 
late Ferdinando Fairfax, is one of the chief on the 
river. There are usually taken each season, from 
three to four hundred thousand shad, at a single 
landing ; and large quantities of herrings. Those 
who wish to obtain cargoes of these fish cannot get 
them on better terms, or of superior quality, any 
where else than at this place. The supply is 
abundant, and the price usually not more than one- 
third of that at the great landings on the Hudson 
river. 

In the distance about a hundred miles above and 



46 GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY. 

below Washington, four hundred thousand barrels 
of herrings are caught annually, of which a consi- 
derable quantity are cured and exported. 

They are salted without being gutted, and the 
blood mixed with the brine, which in a few days 
is poured off, when the herrings are taken out, 
washed, and salted anew. The fisheries continue 
during the month of April. 

In 1768, an act was passed by the legislature, 
which in 1798 became a permanent law, not to 
destroy young fish by wears or dams. The pe- 
nalty is twenty pounds of the currency of that 
time. — Another act was passed in 1796, to prevent 
persons from beating the Patuxent river with cords 
or poles, from the commencement of Febmary to 
that of June. The penalty of the offence, of a 
white person, is a bunded dollars ; if a slave, he is 
to receive ten lashes on his back, unless redeemed 
by his master, by the payment of ten dollars. — 
[*S'ee laws oj Maryland. 



GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY. 

The material of the soil is clay, discoloured by 
the oxide of iron. It becomes fixed by fire, and 
on the whole no place can boast of greater facilities 
for brickmaking. 

Rock Creek, and its immediate vicinity, is the 
line between the primitive formation and the ter- 
tiary : from Rock Creek up the Potomac, the bor- 
ders of the stream is pregnant with primitive rocks 



GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY. 47 

in situ and in boulders, with the exception of a 
few small pieces of alluvial here and there, in the 
valley of the river. This is the case for twenty- 
miles or more, when the country changes to old 
red sandstone, which continues twenty or twenty- 
five miles farther up the river, with occasional 
ridges of breccia or pudding-stone ; marble shows 
itself in various places along the valley below and 
above Monocacy. About a mile, however, east of 
the entrance of Rock Creek into the Potomac, on 
southern point of the city, near the glass-house, 
the final termination of the primitive rocks that 
line the bed and banks of the Potomac above, 
clearly takes place. In digging wells beyond this 
point, rocks or stones seldom obtrude ; the alluvial 
everywhere prevails. 

Mr. Warden states that Goden, in his " Ob- 
servations to serve for th? mineralogical map of 
Maryland," also remarks that Rock Creek sepa- 
rates the primitive from the alluvial soil. In the 
former, gneiss abounds, which is succeeded by the 
amphibolic rock or grunstein. The gneiss con- 
tains small crystalized tubes of magnetic iron, 
veins of feldspath and quartz of an opaque white 
coluor. The rock of the Great Falls of the Poto- 
mac consists chiefly of micaceous schist — mica 
schistoide of Hauy, or glimmer schiefer of the 
Germans ; and contains grains of iron which 
attract the magnetic needle. 

The stone, with which the basons of the Poto- 
mac canal are lined, is a species of sandstone 
(gres) similar to that known by the name of 
gres des houillieres, [sandstone of coalbeds.] 
The rock employed to form the foundation or 



48 CITY OF WASHINGTON, ETC. 

base of the houses of Washington, is a species 
of gneiss, composed of feldspath, quartz, and mica, 
of a leafy texture, owing to the abundance and 
disposition of the mica. It contains primitive sul- 
phurous iron, and also particles of the same metal, 
which are attracted by the needle. At Fort Wash- 
ington there is a ferruginous clay, known by the 
name of bol, which is employed to dye cloth and 
thread of reddish color. This substance, when 
heated, attracts the magnetic needle. The moulds 
of petrified shells of the genus area, weighing 
several pounds have been dug up at this place. 

Robinson, in his Catalogue of American Mine- 
ralogy, furnishes the following for the District of 
Columbia : — 

Flint, on the shores of the Eastern Branch of 
the Potomac, near the navy yard, in small nodules. 

Hornestone, containing organic remains. 

Agatized fVood, Woodstone, three miles north 
from Washington, sometimes invested with minute 
crystals of quartz, fine specimens, and abundant. 

Schorl, in Georgetown, in gneiss. 

Lignite and Phyritical Fossil ffood, are found 
abundantly in digging wells. 

Iron ore, in the vicinity of the Woodstone 
locality, in detached masses on the surface. Or- 
ganic remains in sandstone — abundant. 



CITY OF WASHINGTON, ETC. 

Though the atmosphere of the District is liable 
to very sudden changes, in the extremes of heat 



CITY OF WASHINGTON, ETC. 49 

and cold, yet from the free circulation of air, and 
the great abundance of the purest water, this place 
seems as free from the epidemical diseases, as any 
in the United States. 

Mr. Blodget has, we know not from what autho- 
rity, estimated the annual deaths in the city of 
Washington, at one to forty-eight or fifty persons ; 
in New-York, one to forty-four or fifty ; in Bal- 
timore, as one to forty-three or forty-nine ; at 
Charleston, one to thirty-five or forty. From 
whence it would appear that Washington is more 
healthy than any of those places. In the large 
cities of Europe, the deaths are estimated at one 
to twenty -three, and in the smaller towns at one 
to twenty-eight. 

During the autumn, or the fall of the year, 
bilious fevers prevail in this as in most parts on 
the Atlantic coast south of New York and Phila- 
delphia. In winter, owing to the sudden changes 
of the atmosphere, chronic diseases often occur ; 
but these are not confined to this city or its neigh- 
borhood. 

The soil of the District being generally of a light 
clay or sand, reflects the rays of the sun with great 
power, which with the rapid exhalation of the 
moisture has a very injurious eflect. 

Intermitting fevers, which are confined to parti- 
cular spots, seem to originate from the exhalations 
of the marshes and borders of stagnant waters ; 
though it frequently happens that those who in- 
habit immediately the borders of those places are 
exempt from their efljects ; whilst those who live 
in the neighboring heights are unhealthy. 
5 



60 CITY OF WASHINGTON, ETC. 

The corporation of the city of Washington pos- 
sess powers to enact laws for the prevention of 
contagious diseases ; and although much has been 
done for the accomplishment of this object, much 
yet remains to be done to complete it. Draining 
the marshes, planting trees, and removing nui- 
sances, ought to be objects of early attention. In 
the fall and winter of 1814, a very fatal bilious 
fever prevailed ; its effects were, however, chiefly 
confined to the intemperate and poor. The habi- 
tations of the negroes, are, in general, wretched and 
unhealthy. A very severe intermittent fever also 
prevailed during the fall of 1821 ; which arose, no 
doubt, from the same causes. 

Mr. Jefferson has remarked in his " Notes on 
Virginia," that this climate has undergone a great 
change in a few years ; he says, " that in the 
year 1780, the Chesapeake bay was solid, from 
its head to the mouth of the Potomac. At Anna- 
polis, where it is five miles and a quarter over, 
between the nearest points of land, the ice was 
from five to seven inches thick quite across, so that 
loaded wagons went over it." " The extremes 
of heat and cold, of six degrees below zero, and 
ninety -eight degrees, are distressing." 

During the summer, this place is often visited 
with terrible thunder gusts; one of the most tre- 
mendous occurred on the 25th of August, 1814, 
(the day the British were in possession of the city.) 
Noth withstanding the beneficial effects of lightning- 
conductors as have been clearly proved, yet they 
are by no means generally used. 

By an aqt of Congress, passed in 1821, the Cor- 



CITY OF WASHINGTON, ETC. 51 

poration was empowered to sell certain lots be- 
longing to the public, and to apply the proceeds to 
filling up the canal near Pennsylvania Avenue, and 
the swamps in its neighborhood, and for opening 
the canal in a better situation. This work has 
been completed in a masterly style. 

The longitude of the Capitol was determined in 
1821, by calculations made by William Lambert, 
from observations chiefly made by Wm. Elliot, 
under the authority of Congress, to be seventy- 
seven degrees, one minute, and forty-eight se- 
conds west, from the observatory at Greenwich, 
Eng., and latitude thirty-eight degrees, fifty-five 
minutes, and forty-eight seconds north ; however 
these observations ought to be verified by corres- 
ponding observations made in Europe. And no- 
thing perhaps would more contribute to accom- 
plish this object than the erection of an observa- 
tory at Washington, with suitable instruments ; 
and the publication of an astronomical ephemeris, 
at the seat of government. 

By the act of cession by the state of Maryland, 
foreigners, not citizens, are permitted to hold lands 
within the territory ceded by her, which will 
greatly contribute to its population and improve- 
ment of that part of the District. The constitution 
and laws of the states of Maryland and Virginia, 
served as models of the liberal principles of citi- 
zenship established at the metropolis of the Ame- 
rican republic. The act of naturalization of the 
former is as foUows^: — 

" Whereas, the increase of a people is the means 
to advance the wealth and strength of the state ; 



52 CITY OF WASHINGTON, ETC. 

and whereas many foreigners, from the lenity of 
our government, the security afforded by our laws 
to civil and religious liberty, the mildness of our 
climate, the fertiUty of our soil and the advantages 
of our commerce, may be induced to come and set- 
tle in this state, if they were made partakers of the 
advantages and privileges which the natural-born 
citizens of the state do enjoy," &:c. 

In 1797 it was enacted, " That all foreigners 
who emigrated and settled in Maryland, before the 
month of July, 1799, and have continued therein, 
they and their descendants shall be deemed to have 
been, and to be, citizens of this state, as if they 
had been natural born subjects." The liberal po- 
licy has had the most beneficial effect by intro- 
ducing amongst us many distinguished foreigners 
of wealth and talent. 

The city of Washington is situated on the Poto- 
mac, at the confluence of this river with the East- 
ern Branch, which formerly bore the name of Ana- 
costia. The design of the city was made by 
Major L'Enfant, under the direction of General 
Washington ; and the streets were chiefly laid out 
by Mr. A. Ellicott, and the Messrs. Kings of this 
city. 

From Washington to Philadelphia the dis- 
tance is - - - - 137 miles. 
To Baltimore, - - - 38 
To Richmond, - - 123 
To Annapolis, - - - 40 

It is scarcely possible to imagine a city more 
beautifully and conveniently situated, than that of 
Washington. The gently undulating surface of 



CITY OF WASHINGTON, ETC. 53 

earth, throws the water into such various direc- 
tions, as affords the most agreeable assemblage. 
The rising hills, on each side of the Potomac, are 
truly picturesque ; and as the river admits the pas- 
sage of vessels of various sizes, their sails are seen 
gliding through the charming landscape, and com- 
plete the delightful scene. 

The city extends from northwest to southeast, 
about four miles and a half, and from east to south- 
west, about two miles and a half. — The public 
buildings occupy the most elevated and convenient 
situations. The waters of Smith's Spring have 
been conveyed to the capitol in iron pipes, a dis- 
tance of about two and a half miles ; and the 
waters of certain springs lying to the north of the 
public offices and President's house, have also 
been conveyed there. 

There has been a great oversight in placing the 
reservoir on the east front of the capitol, so near 
to the buildings : it ought to have been placed on 
the east side of the square to have enjoyed all its 
benefits. The water could then have been used 
for watering the grounds by means of hose. — It 
could have been carried into the capitol ; and would 
serve to protect this, and the neighboring buildings 
against the progress of fire. There would be no 
difficulty in effecting this ; for the source of the 
spring is thirty feet above the base of the capitol ; 
and the east side of the square is only nine and a 
half feet above the base ; of course there remains 
twenty and a half feet, in altitude, to spare. 

The streets run from north to south, and from 
east to west, crossing each other at right angles, 
5 * 



54 PUBLIC BUILDINGS IN WASHINGTON. 

with the exception of fifteen, that point to the states 
of which each bears the name. — The capitol com- 
mands the streets called the Maryland, Delaware, 
and Pennsylvania Avenues ; the President's house, 
those of Pennsylvania, Vermont, New York, and 
Connecticut ; and all these different intersections 
form eleven hundred and seventy squares. The 
Pennsylvania Avenue, which stretches in a direct 
line from Georgetown to the Eastern Branch, pass- 
ing the President's house to the capitol, is four 
miles in length, and one hundred and sixty in 
breadth, between the President's house and the 
capitol, and one hundred and thirty feet wide east 
of the President's house and west of the capitol. 
The streets, which are seventy to one hundred and 
ten feet wide, will give a fine appearance to the 
city ; but in a region where the summer sun is so 
intensely hot, and the winter wind so severely 
cold, narrower streets, affording shade and shelter, 
would be of greater utility. 

PUBLIC BUILDINGS IN WASHINGTON. 

First Ward. — President's House, State Office, 
Treasury Office, War Office, Navy Office, Episco- 
pal Church, Baptist Church, Friends' Meeting, 
Market House, and Branch Bank. 

Second Ward. — Presbyterian Church, ditto, 
Methodist ditto. Metropolis Bank, United States 
Assembly Rooms, Catholic Church, and General 
Post Office. 

Third Ward. — Unitarian Church, First Pres- 
byterian Church, Methodist Episcopal Church, 



THE CAPITOL. 55 

Methodist Reformed Church, Episcopalian Church, 
Theatre, City Post Office, Patent Office, City- 
Hall, Jail, Orphan's Assylum, Centre Market, 
Patriotic Bank, Bank of Washington, and Masonic 
Hall. 

Fourth Ward. — Catholic Church, Presbyterian 
Church, Capitol, and Market. 

Fifth f^f/rf/.— Catholic Church, Fort, &c.. To- 
bacco Warehouse, Arsenal, and Penitentiary. 

Sixth JVctnl. — Episcopal Church, Methodist 
Church, Baptist Church, Na\y Yard, <fcc., Bar- 
racks, Magazine, Market, and Masonic Hall. 



THE CAPITOL, 

Was commenced in 1793 by Mr. Hallet as 
architect, who was succeeded by Mr. G. Hadfield 
and Mr. Hoban, who finished the north wing. 
The charge of the work was then given to Mr. 
Henry B. Latrobe, (architect) who directed the 
building of the south wing, and prepared the halls 
for the reception of Congress. Such portions of 
the building having been completed as were indis- 
pensably necessary for public use, further proceed- 
ings were suspended during the embargo, non- 
intercourse and war; at which time the interior of 
both wings was destroyed, in an incursion of the 
enemy. After the close of the war, congress 
assembled, for several sessions, in a building 
patriotically raised by the citizens of Washington, 
for their accommodation. In 1815, Government 
determined to restore the capiiol. The work 
was commenced under B. H. Latrobe, who super- 



56 DIMENSIONS COST. 

intended it until December, 1817, when upon his 
resigning his charge, the further proceedings were 
entrusted to C. Bulfinch, who proceeded to ex- 
ecute the designs ah'eady adopted for the Repre- 
sentatives' Hall and Senate Chamber, and to lay 
the foundations of the centre, comprising the Ro- 
tundo, Library, &c. These have been completed, 
with the accompanying terraces, gate-ways, lodges, 
&c., in the course of ten years. Since that time 
the wings and centre have been completed, and 
the Capitol of the United States forms one of the 
finest and most magnificent buildings in the world. 
The building now exhibits an harmonious whole, 
imposing for its mass and commanding situation, 
and well adapted for the important uses for which 
it is intended. It may be described as follows : — 

The Capitol of the United States is situated on 
an area enclosed by an iron railing, and including 
thirty acres — the building stands on the western por- 
tion of this plat, and commands, by the sudden 
declivity of the ground, a beautiful and extensive 
view of the city, of the surrounding heights of 
Georgetown, &c., and of the windings of the Poto- 
mac as far as Alexandria. 

The exterior exhibits a rusticated basement, of 
the height of the first story ; the two other stories 
are comprised in a Corinthian elevation of pilasters 
and columns — the columns thirty feet in height, 
form a noble advancing portico, on the east, one 
hundred and sixty feet in extent — the centre of 
which is crowned with a pediment of eighty feet 
span : a receding loggia of one hundred feet extent, 
distinsruishes the centre of the west front. 



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OFFICERS OF CONGRESS, &c. 

Officers of the Senate. 

Asbury Dickins, secretary ; Lewis H. Machen, chief 
clerk ; William Hickey, clerk ; William Carr, clerk 5 
Wm. J. McDonald, clerk ; John C Fitzpatrick, clerk ; 
William Patton, clerk ; Stephen Haig-ht, serg-eant-at- 
arms and doorkeeper ; Edward Wyer, assistant door- 
keeper ; J. L. Clubb, messeng-er, Secretary's office. 

Officers of the House of Representatives. 
Walter S. Franklin, clerk ; S. Burch, chief clerk ; 
John T. Frost, clerk ; B. M. Berry, clerk ; R. N. John- 
ston, clerk ; B. B. French, clerk ; Daniel Gold, clerk ; 
Joseph D. Ward, clerk 5 E. Early, librarian to the 
House ; Roderick Dorsey, sergeant-at-arms ; O. Carr, 
principal doorkeeper ; J. W. Hunter, assistant door- 
keeper ; Wm. J. McCormick, postmaster ; James Bar- 
ron, messenger ; John S. Meehan, librarian of con- 
gress ; E. B. S telle, assistant librarian of congress ; 
Robert Keoron, messenger. 

Supreme Court of the United States. 
Roger B. Taney, chief justice, Baltimore, Md., 5000 
dolls. ; Joseph Storj^ associate justice, Salem, Mass., 
4500 dolls. ; Smith Thompson, associate justice. New 
York, 4500 dolls. ; John McLean, associate justice, 
Cincinnati, Ohio, 4500 dolls. ; Henry Baldwin, associate 
justice, Pittsburg, Pa., 4500 dolls.; James M. Wayne, 
associate justice, Savannah, Ga., 4500 dolls.; Philip P. 
Barbour, associate justice, Gordonsville, Va., 4500 
dolls.; John Catron, associate justice, Nashville, Tenn., 
4500 dolls.; John McKinley, associate justice, Florence, 
Alabama, 4500 dolls.; Benjamin F. Butler, attorney- 
general, 4000 dolls.; Wm. T. Carroll, clerk, fees, &c., 
Alexander Hunter, marshal, fees, 8cc.; William Cranch, 

chief judge, and B. Thruston and Morsel, associate 

judges of the Circuit Coui-t of the United States. 

Commissioner of Public Buildings William Noland. 

Public Gardener. — James Maher. 



REPRESENTATIVES HALL. 



57 



The building is surrounded by a balustrade of 
stone and covered with a lofty dome in the centre, 
and a fiat dome on each, wing. 

Dimensions of the Capitol of the United States^ 
and its Grounds. 

The ground within the iron railing, 30 acres. Length 
of Foot Walk, outside of railing :| of a mile and 185 fett. 

The building is as follows: 
Length of front, . . . - 
Depth of wings, - - - 
East Projection and Steps, 
West do. do. - 

Covering 1^ acre, and 1820 feet. 
Height of Wings to top of Balustrade, 
Height to top of Centre dome, 
Representatives' Room, greatest length, 
Representatives' Room, greatest height, 
Senate Chamber, greatest length, 
Senate Chamber, greatest height. 
Great Central Rotundo, 96 ft in diameter, 
The North Wing was commenced in 1793, 

and finished in 1800, cost, - S480,26'2 51'* 
South Wing commenced in 1803, and 

finished 1808, cost, ^ - 308,808 41 

Centre Building commenced in 1818, and 

finished in 1827 and cost, - 957,647 35 



352 feet 4 inches. 


121 do. 6 do. 


65 do. 


83 do. 


70 feet. 


145 do. 


95 do. 


60 do. 


74 do. 


42 do. 


96 feet high. 



Cost of building the Capitol $1,746,718 33 

♦ Including all alterations to 1814. 

The Representatives' Room is in the second story 
of the south wing — is semicircular, in the form of 
the ancient Grecian theatre — the chord of the long- 
est dimension is ninety-six feet — the height, to the 
highest point of the domical ceiling is sixty feet. 
This room is surrounded by twenty-four columns 



58 REPRESENTATIVES* HALL. 

of veriegated native marble, or breccia, from the 
banks of the Potomac, with capitals of white 
Italian marble, carved after a specimen of the 
Corinthian order, still remaining among the ruins 
of Athens ; which stand on a base of freestone, 
and support a magnificent dome painted in a very 
rich and splendid style, to represent that of the 
Pantheon of Rome, and executed by an interesting 
young Italian artist, named Bonani, who died here 
a few years ago. In the centre of this dome is 
erected, to admit the light from above, a handsome 
cupola, from which is suspended a massy bronze 
gilt chandelier, of immense weight, which reaches 
within ten feet of the floor of the chamber. The 
Speaker's chair is elevated and canopied, and on a 
level with the loggia or promenade for the mem- 
bers, consisting of columns and pilasters of marble 
and stone. Above this, and under a sweeping arch 
near the dome, is placed the model of a colossal 
figure oi Liberty, by Causici, (in plaster,} on the 
entablature beneath is sculptured an American ea- 
gle, (in stone) just ready to fly ; copied from nature 
by an Italian sculptor of high reputation, who has 
left but this single specimen of his talents in this 
country. 

The artist, Segnior Valaperti, was but a short 
time in America, the most of which he spent 
in Washington. He was retiring in his habits, 
and of a melancholy temperament, associating with 
few persons, and with those but seldom. Soon 
after the completion of this chef (Tceuvre he dis- 
appeared, in a mysterious manner, and has never 
been heard of since. About a month after his dis- 



5& 

appearance a body was found in the Potomac, 
which was thought from certain resemblances, to 
be his, (though this was never satisfactorily ascer- 
tained,) and hence it has been conjectured that in 
a fit of melancholy, he threw himself into the river, 
and thus put an end to his unhappy life. — Such 
has often been the melancholy fate of genius. 

In front of the chair, and immediately over the 
entrance, stands a beautiful statue in marble repre- 
senting History, recording the events of the nation. 
She is placed on a winged car, which is in the act 
of rolling over the globe, on which is figured, in 
basso relievo, the signs of the Zodiac, and the wheel 
of the car is the face of the clock of the Hall, finely 
designed and beautifully executed. The whole 
was done by SegniorFranzoni, another meritorious 
Italian artist, who also died in this city. Between 
the columns is suspended fringed drapery of crim- 
soned marines, festooned near the gallery, to limit 
the sound and hearing. A magnificent portrait of 
Lafayette, at full length, painted by a French artist, 
and a most admirable likeness of that patriot, de- 
corates a panel on one side the loggia, and indicates 
to the legislative body to whom it has been present- 
ed, that the corresponding panel on the opposite 
side could not be more appropriately filled than by 
the portrait of him who achieved the liberties and 
secured the independence of his country. Be- 
tween the columns, at their base, are placed 
sofas for the accommodation of those who are 
privilege to enter the Hall, and within the bar, in 
a semicircle fronting the Speaker's chair, are seat- 
ed the members of the House, and each of whom 



60 SENATE CHAMBER. 

is furnished with a mahogany desk, armed chair 
and writing materials. 

The Senate Chamber in the north wing is of the 
same semicircular form — seventy-five feet in its 
greatest length and forty-five high — a screen of Ion- 
ic columns, with capitals, after those of the temple 
of Minerva Polias, support a gallery to the east, 
and form a loggia below — and a new gallery of 
iron pillars and railings of a light and elegant 
structure, projects from the circular walls — the 
dome ceiling is enriched with square caissons of 
stucco. 

The walls are covered with straw coloured drape- 
ry, between small pilasters of marble in the wall. 
Columns of breccia or Potomac marble, support 
the eastern gallery. 

The upper gallery on the east side was removed 
in 1828, and a light, airy, and beautiful one as men- 
tioned above, erected along the simicircle fronting 
the President's chair, supported on small iron col- 
umns, handsomely bronzed, with a railing in front, 
of the same material and colour. The removal of 
the dark and heavy mass of stone which formed 
the upper gallery has thrown into the chamber a 
proper degree of light, which it wanted before ; and 
the new and tasteful gallery renders it more convi- 
nientto the members, by accommodating those who 
would otherwise be on the floor. — The access to it, 
however, is somew^iat objectionable, as are most of 
the stair-cases in the building. They are rather 
confined and dark, for so spacious and magnificent 
an edifice as the Capitol. A stair-case is suscepti- 
ble of gaeat architectural beauty ; and the construe- 




LIBRARY 



n n ^ 




l^iiphol. 



ROTUNDO — SCULPTURE. 61 

lion of such a building the opportunity to display 
that beauty should not have been neglected. 

The Eotundo occupies the centre, and is ninety- 
six feet in diameter, and ninety-six high. This is the 
principal entrance from the east portico and west 
stair, and leads to the legislative halls and library. 
This room is divided in its circuit into panels, by 
lofty Grecian pilasters or antae, which support a 
bold entablature, ornamented with wreaths of olive 
— a hemispherical dome arises above, filled with 
large plain caissons, like those of the Pantheon at 
Rome. The panels of the circular wall are appro- 
priated to paintings and has relieves of historical 
subjects. We shall begin with the sculpture : 

1. — Preservation of Capt. Smith hy Pocahontas, 

The group, in the panel over the western en- 
trance of the rotundo, was executed by Mr. Ca- 
pellano, who, like Mr. Causici, was a pupil of the 
celebrated Canova. This panel contains a group 
of five figures, representing the moment when Cap- 
tain Smith was in the act of being despatched by 
the order of Powhatan, but was saved by the gene- 
rous interposition of Pocahontas, the daughter of 
the chief. Capt. Smith, in his narrative, furnishes 
the following sketch of this incident — which took 
place in "1606:" — 

" Having feasted him (Capt. Smith) after their best 
barbarous manner they could, a long consultation 
was held, but the conclusion was, two great stones 
were brought before Powhatan : then as many as 
could lay hands on him dragged him to them, and 
6 



62 ROTUNDO — SCULPTURE. 

thereon layed his head, and being ready with their 
clubs to beat out his brains, Pocahontas, the king's 
dearest daughter, when no entreaty could prevail, 
got his head in her arms, and layed her own 
upon his to save him from death : whereat the 
emperor (Powhatan) was contented he should live 
to make him hatchets, and her bells, beads and cop- 
per." 

This design is partly taken from a rude engrav- 
ing of this event, in the first edition of Smith's 
History of Virginia. Capt. Smith, attired in the 
military dress of the age, is represented reclining 
on his elbow, with his body extended on the ground, 
ready to receive the death-blow from the war-mace 
of an Indian who stands near his head. The chief 
(Powhatan) who is seated in the centre behind, is 
motioning with his hand, in consequence of the 
interposition of his daughter, who is hanging over 
Smith to protect him from the blow, to another 
Indian, who stands at the feet of the captive, ready 
to assist his companion in completing the work of 
death. The war-mace of the Indian is, however, 
resting on his shoulder. Why then is the com- 
mand given to him, and not to the other, who is 
preparing to strike ? Although the composition of 
this group is good, and tlie figures very well exe- 
cuted, yet there is an evident want of truth in their 
delineation and costume. The face and head-dress 
of Pocahontas are somewhat Grecian, and the fea- 
tures of Powhatan are less like an Indian than an 
European. — The whole piece is certainly very 
rich and ornamental ; but the objections made, will, 
we think, strike every one who sees it, and may 



ROTUNDO SCULPTURE. 63 

hereafter present no little difficulty — when the pro- 
gress of civilization, the increase of white popula- 
tion, and other causes, shall have reduced the chil- 
dren of the forest to a small and scanty remnant — 
in ascertaining which is the true representation of 
the Indian physiognomy, form, and costume, from 
the specimens thus furnished by our artists. — At 
present, it may easily be determined ; but hereafter, 
when the Indian shall have disappeared from our 
wilds, it will be next to impossible to decide, by 
a reference to the figures, sculptured in the panels 
of the Rotundo, between which so great a discre- 
pancy appears to exist. 

2 — Landing of the Pilgrims on Plymouth Rock 

On the panel over the door leading to the East 
em Portico, the subject of Mr. Causici's chisel is 
intended to commemorate the landing of the Pil- 
grims on Plymouth Rock. The group consists of 
four figures, in bold relief — the "Pilgrim," his wife 
and child, and an Indian. The Pilgrim, in the 
costume of the early part of the sixteenth century, 
is represented in the act of stepping from the prow 
of the boat, to receive from the hands of an Indian, 
in a kneeling attitude, on the rock before him, an 
ear of corn, tendered by the native in the most 
friendly manner. A mixed expression of hesitancy 
and gratitude is visible in the countenance of the 
Pilgrim, who appears to doubt the sincerity of the 
Indian, whose aboriginal features form a fine con- 
trast to those of the Puritanical, and suffering ad- 
venturer. Behind, in the boat, looking towards 
heaven, with an eye and attitude of devotional grati- 



64 ROTUNDO SCULPTURE. 

tude, for the deliverance from the sufferings and 
hardships of the voyage, stands his wife, whose 
interesting countenance bears marks of those 
" watchings and fastings" shared in common with 
the intrepid band. Near her, their little son, actu- 
ated by the mingled emotions of fear and wonder, 
holds his father's arm, and seems desirous to pre- 
vent his landing. The Indian is happily met face 
to face by the Pilgrim, seated on the rock, and in 
front of the prow of the boat, freighted with the 
adventurers, inscribed " 1620." The prominent 
features of the Pilgrim are probably the best execut- 
ed in the group, though we are aware that the In- 
dian, who is a very striking object in the composi- 
tion of the picture, from his brawny form and his 
peculiar position on the rock, appears in bolder re- 
lief, and may, by many, be viewed with most grati- 
fication. — It is stated in the History of New Eng- 
land, and it may not be out of place here to repeat 
it, that the identical rock on which the Pilgrims 
first landed, has been broken up into fragments, 
and one part of it placed in the centre of the town 
of Plymouth, where it is known by the name of 
" Forefather's Rock," and is visited with a degree 
of veneration by all New Englanders. 

3. — Conflict between Boon and the Indians. 

On the panel over the door leading to the Repre- 
sentatives' Hall, Daniel Boon, (the pioneer and 
intrepid backwoodsman,) in his hunting shirt, is the 
hero of the group, which consists of three figures, 
himself and two Indians. 

The scene, from the boughs of a forest tree waving 



ROTUNDO SCULPTtTRE. 65 

over the heads of the figures, is intended to carry 
the mind of the spectator into the recesses of the 
wilderness, where it is supposed the occurrence, 
which the work commemorates, took place. Boon 
having just discharged his rifle, and despatched 
an Indian, who hes coiled up at his feet, is instant- 
ly attacked by another, who aims a deadly blow 
with his tomahawk, which Boon averts, by ele- 
vating his rifle with his left hand, while his right 
draws the "long-knife," or coiiteau de chasse, 
which is to terminate the dreadful combat — draw- 
ing, at the same time, his arm a little back, to give 
force to the fatal thrust, aimed at the warrior's 
heart — his Indian antagonist brandishing in his right 
hand the deadly tomahawk, ready to descend with 
fatal vengeance. 

The attitude of the dead Indian at the foot is 
well executed. He reclines on his side, with his 
knees drawn up towards his breast, and his head 
resting on his hands which he seems to have placed, 
open, one above the other. Strong contortions are 
visible on his countenance — his eyes are closed in 
death, and about his lips revenge is plainly imprint- 
ed, while in his side is seen the gaping wound that 
laid him prostrate. A more natural counterfeit of 
death is seldom produced. 

All these figures are of colossal size. The first 
idea that strikes the observer, on viewing this com- 
position, is the extraordinary action which the artist 
has thrown into the piece : the bold relief which 
the chisel aflfords, in executing the human figure, 
is here employed to great advantage : the intrepidi- 
ty and resolution of Boon's countenance, appears to 
6* 



66 ROTUNDO — SCULPTURE. 

have been given to very life ; whilst the frantic face 
and vigorous frame of the savage, has received full 
justice from Causici's chisel — finely contrasting the 
cool intrepidity of the hero, with the ferocity of the 
savage. 

We have only to regret, that in the present in- 
stance, the artist had so limited a field for his work ; 
to have given full scope to the design, more than 
double the space appropriated would have been 
necessary ; but over this he had no control. We 
have no doubt that this effort of his genius will be 
admired as long as a taste for the arts continue. 
It forms a beautiful and interesting embellishment 
to our National Capitol, that no spectator, who re- 
verts to the struggles and bravery of our back- 
woodsmen, in the early settlement of the western 
wilderness, can view with indifference. 

The incident of this piece of sculpture took place 
in 1773, which, we perceive, is, in commemora- 
tion, carved on the tree overhanging the group. — 
The profile likeness of Boon which it presents, in 
the vigor of life, was taken from a portrait by Har- 
dinge, an artist of acknowledged merit, now in the 
hands of an engraver. 

4. — Pemi's Treaty with the Indians. 

On the panel over the northern entrance, William 
Penn, the founder of the colony of Pennsylvania, 
is here represented under the spreading Elm, near 
Philadelphia, (which has been rendered so remark- 
able by the event,) in open and friendly negotiation 
with two Indians, and in the act of presenting a trea- 



ROTUXDO 5CrLPTrRE. 67 

ty of 1682. The elder Indian chief in his hand 
carries a large calumet, or pipe of peace, listening at- 
tentively to the taik of the younger red man ; whilst 
Penn patiently watches the effect of the discourse, 
^rhe quaker habiliments of Penn, with the broad- 
brimmed hat, (fee, are, of course, in proper keeping ; 
and the simplicity, candor, and honestv" of his 
countenance, a tolerable effort of the chisel ; but 
the artist JGevelot, a Frenchman) has not received 
ver\- general approbation for his work ; for contrast- 
ed with the animated and spirited efforts of Causici 
and Capellano, in the neighboring panels, it is 
thought heavy and dull, in its execution. 

The wreaths and festoons of flowers in the other 
panels, constitute the minor omamen*s of sculpture 
in the Rotundo. In the centre of these floral 
wreaths, however, instead of the Eagle, is placed 
the heads of Columhua, Sir fTalter Rakicrh, La 
Sale, and Cahot, to aid in preserving the memory-, 
as well as the features of those distinguished men, 
to whom the world owes so large a debt of gra- 
titude. 

An intelligent critic has, in a public print, made 
the followinsr remarks on the productions of the 
chisel of Causici and Capellano : though differing 
in opinion on some points, we submit them to our 
readers : — 

" The design of both these groups is good, but 
the execution appears to be somewhat unsatisfac- 
lor\', arising either from the nature of the material 
or the limited time in which the work was perform- 
ed. There is an appearance of roughness or want 
of finish about the ti^ures, that lessens the effect 



68 ROTUNDO — PAINTINGS. 

they might otherwise have produced. The coun- 
tenance and dress of the Pilgrim, and the form and 
attitude of the Indians in the first group mentioned, 
are not exactly such as we might have expected 
from the genius of Mr. Causici. The Pilgrim 
looks rather too insignificant, and the Indian is too 
colossal, and his attitude too awkward. But the 
physiognomy and character of the savage are well 
portrayed in all his Indian figures. Both he and 
Mr. Capellano have fallen into a gross error in giv- 
ing them so much muscle, and in placing the mus- 
cle, in some instances, in the wrong place. It is 
found upon a close and accurate examination, that the 
body of a male Indian is as smooth, and devoid of 
every appearance of muscle, as that of the most del- 
icate white female : and this may be easily account- 
ed for from the indolent and inactive lives they 
usually lead. The labor that would give exercise 
to their muscles, and render them prominent, is 
thrown upon the female, whose destiny it is to per- 
form all the toil and drudgery which appertain to 
that rude and miserable condition of society." 



DESCRIPTION OF THE FOUR PICTURES, 

From Revolutionary Subjects, painted by order of the Go- 
vernment of the United States, by Col. Trumbull. 

Note. — The following facts are condensed from 
an ** account of the circumstances," which gave 
birth to their origin — Col. Trumbull, the Artist 
was one of the Aids-de-Camp of Gen. TVashington 
in the first year of the Revolution, (1775,) and in 
the succeeding year 1776, was deputy Adjutant 



ROTUNDO PAINTINGS. 69 

General of the Northern Department under Gen. 
Gates. Having a natural taste for drawing, in 
which he had already made some progress, Col. 
Trumbull took the resolution of cultivating that 
talent, with the hope of thus binding his name to 
the great events of the revolution, by becoming the 
graphic historiographer, of them, and of his early 
comrades. 

With this view, he devoted himself to the study of 
the Art of Painting, first in America, and afterwards 
in Europe ; and in the year 1786, he produced in 
London, his first considerable historical work, the 
death of Gen. Warren, at the battle of Bunker's 
Hill. 

John Adams, afterwards President of the United 
States, was at that time their Minister to London, 
and Thomas Jefljerson held the same rank in Paris : 
the Artist was known to both these eminent men, 
and this his first patriotic work of Art, was seen 
and appreciated by both : he communicated to them 
his intention of painting a series of pictures, in 
commemoration of the principal events of the Revo- 
lution, preserving, as far as possible, faithful por- 
traits of those who had been conspicuous actors in 
the various scenes, as well as accurate details of the 
arms, dresses, and manners of the times, with all of 
which he had been familiar. 

In the autumn of 1789, the Artist returned to 
America, to pursue his patriotic work. He found 
President Washington, and many other distin- 
guished characters in New York, then the seat of 
government, and having procured their portraits in 
the several compositions for which they were in- 



70 RCTUNDO PAINTINGS. 

tended, he traveled through various parts of the 
country from New Hampshire to South Carolina, 
in search of others ; and, in 1794, had nearly com- 
pleted the collection of portraits, views of places, 
and all the various materials necessary to the execu- 
tion of his plan. 

In the year 1816, Congress was pleased to 
pass a resolution authorizing him to execute the 
four works which are now to be described, just 
thirty years after he had painted the Battle of Bun- 
ker's Hill. 

These paintings, therefore, are not to be re- 
garded as having their origin in that resolution. 
They already had long existed, and little more was 
required than to give to the small prototypes 
larger and more conspicuous dimensions. Had 
not the preparatory steps been already taken, the 
work would have been impracticable, for even 
then most of the characters were dead, scenes, 
dresses, arms, and manners were all changed, 
and it was impossible for human art to have pro- 
duced any other than pictures of the imagination, 
destitute of that authenticity and truth, which give 
to these works their peculiar value. 

Few men now doubt the powerful moral effect 
produced on the human mind by the art of painting, 
when devoted, as it is here, to the commemoration 
of great events and eminent men. No American 
can contemplate these scenes of national glory, 
thus brought distinctly before the eye in all the 
resemblance of reality, without feeling a strong im- 
pulse to emulate in some laudable effort, the virtues 
of his forefathers. It must require a powerful 



ROTUNDO PAINTINGS. 71 

exertion of depraved principles to pass from the 
contemplation of these great examples of pure, un- 
bending, incorruptible patriotism and self-devotion, 
to the perpetration of any base or selfish purpose. 

Panel No. 1. — Declaration of Independence, 

To preserve the resemblance of the men who 
were the authors of the Declaration of Independ- 
ence, signed on the 4th of July, 1776, was an 
essential object of this painting. Important diffi- 
culties presented themselves to the artist at the out- 
set, for although only ten years had then elapsed 
since the date of the event, it was already difficult 
to ascertain who were the individuals to be repre- 
sented. Should he consider the fact of having been 
actually present in the room on the 4th of July, 
indispensable? Should he omit those, only, who 
were in favor of, and reject those who were 
opposed to the act ? Where a person was dead, 
and no authentic portrait could be obtained, should 
he admit ideal heads ? These were the ques- 
tions on which Mr. Adams and Mr. Jefferson 
were consulted, and they concurred in the ad- 
vice, that with regard to the characters to be 
introduced, the signatures of the original act 
which is still preserved in the office of state,) 
ought to be the general guide. That portraits 
ought, however, to be admitted of those who were 
opposed to, and of course did not sign, as well as 
of those who voted in favor of the Declaration, 
and did sign it, particularly John Dickinson, of 
Delaware, author of the Farmer's Letters, who 



72 ROTUNDO PAINTINGS. 

was the most eloquent and powerful opposer of the 
measure ; not mdeed of its principle, but of the fit- 
ness of the act at that time, which he considered 
premature. And they particularly recommended, 
that wherever it was possible, the artist should 
obtain his portrait from the living persons ; that 
where any one was dead, he should be careful ta 
copy the finest portrait that could be obtained; 
but in case of death, where none could be obtained 
(and there were many such instances, for anterior 
to the revolution the arts had been very little 
attended to, except in one or two of the cities,) he 
should by no means admit any ideal representa- 
tion, lest, it being known that some such were to" 
be found in the painting, a doubt of the truth of 
others should be excited in the minds of posterity ; 
and that, in short, absolute authenticity should be 
attempted, as far as it could be attained. 

The artist was governed by this advice, and 
spared neither labour nor expense in obtaining his 
portraits from the living men. Mr. Adams was 
painted in London ; Mr. Jefferson in Paris ; Mr. 
Hancock and Samuel Adams, in Boston ; Mr. Ed- 
ward Rutledge, in Charleston, South Carolina; 
Mr. Wythe, at Williamsburgh, in Virginia; Mr- 
Barlett, at Exeter, in New Hampshire, &c. &c. 

In order to give some variety to his composition, 
he found it necessary to depart from the usual 
practice of reporting an act, and has made the 
whole committee of five, advance to the table of 
the president, to make their report, instead of 
having the chairman to rise in his place for the 
purpose : the silence and solemnity of the scene. 



ROTUNDO — PAINTINGS. ' 73 

offered such real difficulties to a picturesque and 
agreeable composition, as to justify, in his opinion, 
this departure from custom and perhaps fact. 
Silence and solemnity he thought essential to the 
dignity of the subject. The dresses are faithfully 
copied from the costume of the time. 

The room is copied from that in which Con- 
gress held their sessions at the time, such as it was 
before the spirit of innovation laid unhallowed 
hands upon it, and violated its venerable walls by 
modern improvement, as it is called. 

The artist also took the liberty of embellishing 
the back ground, by suspending upon the wall, 
military flags and trophies, such as had been taken 
from the enemy at St. John's, Chambly, &c., and 
probably were actually placed in the hall. 



The statues of Peace and War, placed in 
niches, one on the east side of the door, on the east 
side of the Rotundo, executed by Persico. They 
are of colossal size, and of the most beautifully 
white marble. They do great honour to the artist 
and to the country which patronized him. Peace 
is a sweet and graceful figure, holding in one hand 
the olive branch, looking towards War. ff^ar 
stands a-tip-toe, with his hand upon his sword, 
but seems listening to Peace : both figures cor- 
recdy represent the policy of the nation. 



74 



ROTUNDO — PAINTINGS. 



Names of those, of whom Portraits are preserved 
in the Paintings of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence. 



1 George Wvthe, Virginia. 

2 William Whipple, N. H. 

3 Josiah Bartlett, N. Hamp. 

4 Benjamin Harrison, Va. 

5 Thomas Lynch South Ca. 

6 Richard Henry Lee, Va. 

7 Samuel Adams, Mass. 

8 George Clinton, N. York. 

9 William Paca, Maryland. 

10 Samuel Chase, Maryland. 

11 Lewis Morris, New- York. 

12 William Floyd, N. York. 

13 Arthur Middleton, S. Ca. 
14 Thomas Hayward, S. Ca. 

15 Charles Carrol, Maryland. 

16 George Walton, Georgia. 

17 Robert Morris, Penn. 

18 Thomas Willmg, Penn. 

19 Benjamin Rush, Penn. 

20 Elbridge Gerry, Mass. 

21 Robt. Treat Payne, Mass. 
22AbrahamClark, N. J. 

23 Stephen Hopkins, R. L 

24 William EUery, R. L 



25 George Clymer, Penn. 

26 William Hooper, N. Ca. 

27 Joseph Hewes, North Ca. 

28 James Wilson, Penn. 

29 Francis Hopkinson, N, J. 

30 John Adams, Mass. 

31 Roger Sherman, Conn. 

32 Robt. R. Livingston, N. Y. 

33 Thomas Jefferson, Va. 

34 Benjamin Franklin, Penn» 

35 Richard Stockton, N. J. 

36 Francis Lewis, N. York. 

37 John Withers[toon, N. J. 

38 Sam'l Huntington, Conn. 

39 William Williams, Conn. 

40 Oliver Wolcott, Conn. 

41 John Hancock, Mass. 

42 Charles Thompson, Penn, 

43 George Reed, Delaware. 

44 John Dickinson, Del. 

45 Edward Rutledge, S. Ca. 

46 Thomas Mc Kean, Penn. 

47 Philip Livingston, N. Y, 



Panel No. 2 — Surrender of General Burgoyne. 

The spring of 1777, found Gen. St. Clair occu- 
pying the extensive works of Ticonderoga, with 
only three thousand men, all the force that could be 
spared for the defence of that point. 

On the first of July, Gen. Burgoyne appeared 
before the place, at the head of eight thousand 
men, and immediately occupied Mount Hope, on 



ROTUNDO PAINTINGS. 75 

the left of our position, distant about one thousand 
yards from the old French lines, so memorable for 
the defeat of Gen. Abercrombie, in 1757. He was 
thus master of the outlet of Lake George, and 
on the next night he occupied the summit of Su- 
gar loaf Hill, with several pieces of heavy artillery, 
and from that moment it became unavoidably neces- 
sary to abandon Ticonderoga ; this was effected in 
the course of the following day, by Gen. St. Clair, 
with as little loss or disorder as could be expected 
under such circumstances, and the troops com- 
menced their retreat, on the east of the lake, and 
after various skirmishes and some loss, fell back as 
far as Stillwater, on the North River, twenty miles 
above Albany ; here they were met by reinforce- 
ments, and halted, and Gen. Gates again assumed 
the command. 

Gen. St. Clair was very severely censured for 
thus losing this important post. But his means 
were entirely inadequate to its defence, and he 
merited applause for having extricated himself with 
so little loss, from a very difficult situation, and for 
having saved the garrison, which formed the 
nucleus of that force which, before the close of the 
campaign, reversed its character. 

Gen. Burgoyne followed up his success with 
great caution, advancing slowly, and bringing on 
his entire park of artillery, with all its attirail — and 
it was not until September that he approached Gen. 
Gates, at Stillwater, where a partial and indecisive 
action took place on the 20th. On the 7th of Octo- 
ber, a decisive affair took place at Behmus's Heights. 
On the 8th, Gen. Burgoyne found his situation so 



76 ROTUNDO PAINTINGS. 

critical, that he abandoned his camp, and commenc- | 
ed a retreat towards Canada ; but finding bad roads, ■ 
broken bridges, and hostile parties posted at every 
disputable point, and hovering around him on all 
sides, he halted, and took post at Saratoga, where, 
on the 17th, his army surrendered to the American 
forces under Gen. Gates. 

The painting represents Gen. Burgoyne, attend- 
ed by Gen. Phillips, and followed by other officers, 
arriving near the marquee of Gen. Gates. 

Gen. Gates has advanced a few steps from the 
entrance to meet his prisoner, who, with General 
Phillips, has dismounted, and is in the act of offer- 
ing his sword, which Gen. Gates declines to re- 
ceive, and invites them to enter, and partake of 
refreshments. A number of the principal officers 
of the American army are assembled near their 
general. 

The confluence of Fish Creek and the North 
River, where the British left their arms, is shown 
in the distance, near the head of Col. Scammell; 
the troops are indistinctly seen crossing the creek 
and the meadows, under the direction of Colonel 
(since Governor) Lewis, then quarter master-gene- 
ral, and advancing towards the fore-ground — they 
disappear behind the wood, which serves to relieve 
the three principal figures ; and again appear 
{grenadiers, without arm sand accoutrements) un- 
der the left hand of Gen. Gates. Officers on horse- 
back, American, British, and German, precede the 
head of the column, and form an interesting caval- 
cade following the dismounted generals, and con- 
necting the different parts of the picture. 



ROTUNDO PAINTINGS. 



77 



Portraits of the following Officers are introduced^ 
the numbers refer to the outline heads in the 
key, beginning on the left of the spectator. 

1 Major Lithgow, of Mass. 

2 Colonel Cilly, N. Hamp 

3 General Starks, N. H. 

4 Captain Seymour, Conn. 

of Sheldon's horse. 

5 Major Hull, Mass. 

6 Colonel Greaton, Mass. 

7 Major Dearborn, N. H. 

8 Colonel Srammell, N. H. 
9Col. Lewis, Q. M.G.N. Y. 

10 Maj. Gen. Philips, Brit. 

11 Lt. Gen. Buiiroyne, Bnt. 

12 Gen. Baron Reidesel, Ger. 

13 Col. Wilkinson, Deputy 
Adjutant Gen. American. 

14 General Gates. 

15 Col. Prescott, Massachu- 

setts Volunteer. 

16 Colonel Morgan, Virginia 

Riflemen. 



17 Brig. Gen. Rufus Putnam, 

Massachusetts. 

18 Lt. Col. John Brooks, late 

Gov. of Massachusetts. 
If) Rev. Mr. Hitchcock, 

Chaplain, Rhode Island. 

20 Major Robert Troup, Aid- 

de-Camp, New York. 

21 Major Haskell, Mass. 

22 Major Armstrong, Aid-de- 

Camp, now General. 

23 Maj. Gen. Philip Schuyler, 

Albany. 

24 Brig. Gen. Glover, Mass. 

25 Brig. Gen. Whipple, New 

Hampshire Mihtia. 

26 Major Matthew Clarkson, 

Aid-de-Camp, N. York. 

27 Major Ebenezer Stevens, 
Mass. Com'dg the Art'lry , 



Panel No. 3. — Surrender of the British Army, 
commanded by Lord Cornwallis, at Forktown, 
in Virginia, October 19, 1781. 

The success of this officer in the southern 
states, during the years 1780 and 1781 ; the cap- 
ture of Charleston, the victory of Camden, and 
various minor successes, by which almost every 
part of Georgia, and South and North Carolina, 
had been successively occupied by the British 
troops, had seriously threatened the ruin of Ameri- 
ean Independence. 

7* 



78 ROTUNDO — PAINTINGS. 

In 1781, Lord Cornwallis, regarding his pre- 
sence as no longer essential to the complete re- 
duction of the three Southern states, marched with 
the principal part of the force into Virginia, where 
for some time his success was almost equally 
rapid and complete ; but the admirable combined 
movement of Gen. Washington, and our French 
allies, from the North, and of the Count de Grasse, 
with the fleet and army of France, from the West 
Indies, turned the scale, and rendered it necessary 
for him to shut himself up in Yorktown, and 
attempt to defend himself there, until he could 
receive relief from New York. This hope, how- 
ever, failed him, and on the 19th of October he 
surrendered his forces to the combined armies of 
America and France. 

The honour of marching out of the town with 
colours flying, &c. &;c., which had been refused to 
Gen. Lincoln, when during the preceding campaign 
he had surrendered Charleston, was now refused 
to Lord Cornwallis ; the terms of the capitulation 
dictated at Charleston were now insisted on, and 
Gen. Lincoln was appointed to superintend the 
submission of the British at Yorktown, in the same 
manner as that of the American troops at Charles- 
ton had been conducted about eighteen months be- 
fore. 

The American troops were drawn up on the 
right of the road leading into Yorktown ; Gen. 
Washington and the American general ofiicers on 
the right. The French troops on the opposite side 
of the road facing them ; Gen. Rochambeau and the 
principal officers of the French navy and army on 



ROTUNDO PAINTINGS. 79 

the left. The British troops marched out of town, 
•* with shouldered arms, colours cased, and drums 
beating a British and German march," passed be- 
tween the two lines of victorious troops, to a place 
appointed, where they grounded their arms, left 
them, and returned unarmed to their quarters in the 
town. 

The painting represents the moment when the 
principal officers of the British army, conducted by 
Gen. Lincoln, are passing the two gi'oups of Ame- 
rican and French generals, and entering between 
the two lines of the victors ; by this means the 
principal officers of the three nations are brought 
near together, so as to admit of distinct portraits. 
In the centre of the painting, in the distance, are 
seen the entrance of the town, with the captured 
troops marching out, following their officers : and 
also, a distant glimpse of York River, and the en- 
trance of the Chesapeake Bay, as seen from the 
spot. 



80 



ROTUN DO — PAINTINGS. 



The Portraits of the French Officers loere obtained 
in Paris in 1787, and were painted from the 
living men, in the house of Mr. Jefferson, then 
Minister to France from the United States. 



1 Count Deuxponts, Col. 
of French Infantry. 

2 Duke de Laval Montreio- 
rency, Col. of French In- 
fantry. 

3 Count Custine, Colonel 
of French Infantry. 

4 Duke de Lauzun, Col. 
of Cavalry, French. 

5 General Choizy. 

6 Viscount Viomenil. 

7 Marquis de St. Simon. 

8 Count Fersen, Aid-de- 
Camp of Count Rocham- 
beau. 

9 Count Charles Damas, 
Aid-de-Camp of Count 
Rochambeau. 

10 Marquis Chastellux. 

11 Baron Viomenil. 

12 Count de Barras, Admi- 
ral. 

13 Count de Grasse, Admi- 
ral 

14 Ct. Rochambeau, Gen. 
en Chef des Francais. 

15 General Lincoln. 

16 Col. Ebenezer Stevens, 
of the American Artillery. 

17 Gen. Washington, Com- 
mander-in-Chief 

18 Thos. Nelson, Governor 



ofVirg-inia. 

19 Marquis La Fayette. 

20 Baron Steuben, 

21 Col. Cobb, Aid-de-Camp 
to Gen. Washington. 

22 Col. Trumbull, Secre- 
tary to Gen. Washington. 

23 Major Gen. James Clin- 
ton, New York. 

24 General Gist, Maryland. 

25 Gen. Anthony Wayne, 
Pennsylvania. 

26 General Hand, Adjutant 
Gen., Pennsylvania. 

27 Gen. Peter Muhlenburg, 
Pennsylvania. 

28 Major Gen. Henry Knox, 
Commander of Artillery. 

29 Lt. Col. E. Huntington, 
Acting Aid-de-Camp of 
General Lincoln. 

30 Col. Timothy Pickering, 
Quarter Master General. 

31 Col. Alexander Hamil- 
ton, Commanding Light 
Infantry. 

32 Col. John Laurens, of 
South Carolina. 

33 Col. Walter Stuart, of 
Philadelphia. 

34 Col. Nicholas Fish, of 
New York. 



ROTUNDO PAINTINGS. 



81 



Panel No. 4. — Resignation of General Washing- 
ton, at Annapolis, December 23, 1783. 

After taking an affectionate leave of his old com- 
rades, at New York, accompanied by only two of 
them, Gen. Washington proceeded to Annapolis, 
where congress was then sitting, and there resigned 
his commission, into the hands of twenty-three 
powerless men, divested himself of all authority, 
and retired to private life. 

The following impressive history of the scene, 
is copied from the Journal of congress — and has 
been the basis of the picture. One further circum- 
stance deserves notice, not so much from its im- 
portance, as for its singularity. Thomas Mifflin, 
then president of congress, and into whose hands 
the General resigned his commission, had been, in 
1775, his first aid-de-camp, and he who painted 
the picture had been his second. 



Extract from the Journal of Congress, Dec. 23, 1783. 

According to order. His Excellency the com- 
mander-in-chief, was admitted to a public audience, 
and being seated, the President, after a pause, in- 
formed him, that the United States in congress 
assembled, were prepared to receive his communi- 
cations ; whereupon he arose, and addressed Con- 
gress as follows ; 

"■Mr. President, The great events on which my 
resignation depended, having at length taken place, 
I have now the honor of offering ray sincere con- 



82 ROTUNDO PAINTINGS. 

gratulations to Congress, and of presenting myself 
before them, to surrender into their hands the trust 
committed to me, and to claim the indulgence of 
retiring from the service of my country. 

Happy in the conjEirmation of our independence 
and sovereignty, and pleased with the opportunity 
afforded the United States, of becoming a respect- 
able nation, I resign with satisfaction the appoint- 
ment I accepted with diffidence — a diffidence in my 
abilities to accomplish so arduous a task ; which 
however was superseded by a confidence in the 
rectitude of our cause, the support of the Supreme 
Power of the union, and the patronage of Heaven. 

The successful termination of the war has veri- 
fied the most sanguine expectations ; and my grati- 
tude for the interposition of Providence, and the 
assistance I have received from my countrymen, 
increases with every review of the momentous con- 
test. 

While I repeat my obligations to the army in 
general, I should do injustice to my own feelings 
not to acknowledge, in this place, the peculiar ser- 
vices and distinguished merits of the gentlemen 
who have been attached to my person during the 
war. It was impossible the choice of confidential 
officers to compose my family should have been 
more fortunate. Permit me, sir, to recommend in 
particular, those who have continued in the service 
to the present moment, as worthy of the favourable 
notice and patronage of Congress. 

I consider it an indispensable duty to close this 
last act of my official life, by commending the in- 



ROTUNDO — PAINTINGS. 83 

terests of our dearest country to the protection of 
Almighty God, and those who have the superin- 
tendence of them to his holy keeping. 

Having now finished the work assigned me, 1 
retire from the great theatre of action, and bidding 
an affectionate farewell to this august body, under 
whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my 
commission, and take my leave of all the employ- 
ments of public life." 

He then advanced and delivered to the president 
his commission, with a copy of his address, and 
having resumed his place, the president returned 
him the following answer : 

Sir, The United States in congress assembled, 
receive with emotions too affecting for utterance, 
the solemn resignation of the authorities under 
which you have led their troops with success, 
through a perilous and a doubtful war ; called by 
your country to defend its invaded rights, you ac- 
cepted the sacred charge, before it had formed alli- 
ances, and whilst it was without funds or a govern- 
ment to support you ; you have conducted the great 
military contest with wisdom and fortitude, invari- 
ably regarding the rights of the civil power through 
all disasters and changes, You have, by the love 
and confidence of your fellow citizens, enabled them 
to display their martial genius, and transmit their 
fame to posterity. You have persevered, till these 
United States, aided by a magnanimous king and 
nation, have been enabled, under a just Providence, 
to close the war in freedom, safety and indepen- 



84 ROTUNDO — PAINTINGS. 

dence ; on which happy event we sincerely join 
you in congratulation. 

Having defended the standard of liberty in this 
new world — having taught a lesson useful to those 
who inflict, and to those who feel oppression — you 
retire from the great theatre of action, with the 
blessings of your fellow citizens ; but the glory of 
your virtues will not terminate with your military 
command — it will continue to animate remotest 



We feel, with you, our obligations to the army 
in general, and will particularly charge ourselves 
with the interests of those confidential officers, who 
have attended your person to this affecting moment. 

We join you in commending the interest of our 
dearest country to the protection of Almighty God, 
beseeching him to dispose the hearts and minds of 
its citizens to improve the opportunity afforded 
them, of becoming a happy and respectable nation. 
And for you we address to him our earnest prayers, 
that a life, so beloved, may be fostered with all 
his care ; that your days may be as happy as they 
have been illustrious ; and that he will finally 
give you that reward which this world cannot 
give. 



ROTUNDO — ^PAINTINGS. 



85 



The following is a List of the Portraits which are 
introduced,, the numbers refer to the outline 
heads in the key. 



I Thomas Mifflin, of Penn. 

— President, Member of 
Congress. 

2 Chs. Thompson, of Pa. do. 

3 El bridge Gerry, of 

Massachusetts. 

4 Hugh Williamson, of 

N. Carolina, 

5 Samuel Osgood of 

Massachusetts. 

6 Ed. Mc Comb, of Del. 

7 George Partridge, of 

Massachusetts, 

8 Edward Lloyd, M.d. 

9 R. D. Spaight, N. Ca. do. 
10 Benj. Hawkins, N. C. do. 

II A. Foster, N. H. do. 

12 Thomas Jefferson, Va. do. 

13 Arthur Lee, Virginia, do. 

14 David Howell, R. L do. 

15 James Munroe, Va. do. 

16 Jacob Reid, S. Ca. do. 

17 James Madison, 

Virginia — ( Spectator.) 



18 William Ellery, R. Island, 

Member of Congress. 

19 Jeremiah Townley Chase, 

Maryland, do. 

20 S. Hardy, Virginia, do. 

21 Charles Morris, Pa. do. 

22 General Washington, do. 

23 Col. Benjamin Walker. 

24 Col. David Humphreys, 

Aid-de-Camps. 

25 Gen, Small wood, Mary- 

land, (Spectator.) 

26 Gen. Otho Holland Wil- 

liams, Maryland, do. 

27 Col. Samuel Smith, Mary- 

land, do. 

28 Col. John E.Howard, 

Md Baltimore. do. 

29 Charles Carroll — and two 

daughters, Md. do. 

30 Mrs. Washington, and her 

three grand children, do. 

31 Daniel, of St. Thomas Je- 

nifer, Maryland, do. 



The subjects which Col. Trumbull has selected 
for the pencil, as well as the masterly execution of 
these grand historical works, are of such a cha- 
racter as will bear a frequent examination, without 
becoming tedious to the spectator. New lights 
and shades — new attitudes, peculiarity of features, 
and expression of countenance, are discovered at 
8 



86 ROTUNDO — PAINTINGS. 

each review, evincing the genius and skill of the 
artist. 

The Declaration of Independence is certainly a 
very grand picture, and is said to be very accurate 
in its delineations of the numerous portraits it em- 
braces. Col. Trumbull was himself a revolutionary 
officer, holding a rank and station which rendered 
him familiar with the countenances he has por- 
trayed ; and of the memorable events to which his 
pencil has added new lustre and still greater 
celebrity, he can say with the poet — 

Cluseque ipse vidi, 
Et quorum pars magna fui. 

Enjoying such peculiar advantages, and possess- 
ing ail the other requisites for a historical painter, 
Col. Trumbull has erected a monument which will 
perpetuate his own fame, and reflect credit upon 
the reputation of the country. 

In January 1828, a resolution was introduced to 
the House of Representatives of the United States, 
the object of which was to employ Mr. Alston, the 
painter, to make a picture of the batde of New 
Orleans, for the use of the nation. — This gave rise 
to a debate, in which Mr. Randolph took a part, 
and in the course of his remarks he was very se- 
vere upon these national paintings. Col. Trumbull 
was then at Washington. It is not surprising that 
he felt deeply injured by the acrimony of the at- 
tack, especially as Mr. Randolph was a member of 
Congress at the time the resolution was passed, by 
which Col. Trumbull was employed to execute 
those splendid works, and advocated the measure : 



ROTUNDO PAINTINGS. 87 

and as the following letter is connected with their 
history, we subjoin it at large : — 

Washington, January 13th, 1828. 
T, Dwight, Esq., New York. 

Dear Sir — The newspapers will have shown 
you that in the memorable battle of the 9th, the 
mangled bodies of all the painters strewed the 
bloody field. — Alston, Morse, and myself all fell ; 
but we fell gloriously by the side of the immortal 
Hero of the Day. You will see thatl in particular 
was most barbarously tomahawked and scalped by 
the unrelenting hand of the half breed chief of 
Roanoake — and saddest of all to say, by the faithless 
hand of him who had once been my friend. To 
speak seriousl)?-, it was my fate to be selected on 
that occasion, by the Hon. John Randolph, of Roa- 
noake, as the butt of his merciless sarcasms. 

But, when Mr. Randolph, in his exordium, 
assigned as the cause of his taking a part in the 
debate, " the misrepresentations of some obscure 
annuary published in Philadelphia, in which it was 
erroneously stated, that he had been partly instru- 
mental in procuring those wretched specimens of 
the state of the fine arts in this country !" he un- 
fortunately for himself gave demonstration of a 
fact of which the world was not before aware. It 
is evident that his body is in a state of decay ; — 
but it remained for himself to give the melancholy 
but irresistable evidence of mental decrepitude : the 
loss of memory is one of the most unhappy proofs 
of the rapid approach of that said hour, '♦ when he 



88 ROTUNDO PAINTINGS. 

will be as if he had not been, and been most 
witty." 

I'he gentleman had forgotten that the National 
Intelligencer of the 28th January, 1817, after 
stating the arguments on the subject of the Four 
Paintings, records his name, Mr. Randolph, among 
those who spoke in favour of the work, as in favour 
of employing me to perform it. 

The gentleman forgot that persons are still living 
who heard that debate, and who retain a fresh and 
vivid recollection of the brilliant and beautiful eulo- 
gium which he then pronounced upon the small 
picture of the Declaration of Independence, the 
prototype of that large one which he now so sneer- 
ingly abuses. 

The gentleman forgot what some others most 
distinctly recollect — that he then called the atten- 
tion of the House to the portrait of Richard Henry 
Lee (whose shins are the most conspicuous shins 
in the picture,) and pointing to the figure he ex- 
claimed : *' Small as this picture is, I seem to see 
that venerable man sitting in person before me, in 
all the sober dignity of a senator of ancient Rome, 
in that elegant attitude so habitual to him, and so 
well remembered by me : the right hand laid over 
the left, concealing so happily and so delicately its 
mutilated remains." 

Mr. Randolph forgot, that a copy of the Na- 
tional Intelligencer was at that moment in the 
library of congress — where it now lies open to the 
inspection of every one ; convicting him either of 
loss of memory, or of something incomparably 
worse ; — that human memory should decay as age 



ROTUNDO PAINTINGS. 89 

advances, is the decree of Him who formed us, 
and though we may deplore, we cannot blame ;- — 
but the alternative, malignity, is the vile and 
voluntary production of a wicked heart — of that, I 
am reluctant to admit the most remote suspicion. — 
When, however, a member of the House of Re- 
presentatives stoops from his high estate, and, for- 
getting his duty, becomes, not the protector, but 
the slanderer of individual reputation, he should be 
reminded that although within these sacred walls, 
he is privileged to indulge in ample liberty of 
speech, and may ramble on for hours in all the 
licentious revellings of wit or of folly, if his col- 
leagues, amused by his wanton eccentricities, are 
willing to endure him ; still there is a limit which it 
is not wise to pass — for, happily, the Constitution 
reserves to every individual of us, the sovereign 
people, the same free and equal liberty of speech 
wherewith to defend our characters out of doors, 
as any representative can assume to abuse and 
vilify us within. 

Generous minds will also recollect that the pro- 
fessional reputation of an artist, like the fair fame 
of woman, is a delicate plant, easily blighted by 
any pestilent breath — and that although it may be 
sport to some, to indulge in ribald criticisms at our 
expense — yet, it is death to us. 

I make this reply to Mr. Randolph with feelings 
of deep regret, for I had indulged the hope that his 
former friendly disposition towards me would have 
been continued through life ; — and that his elegant 
education, his ample fortune, and his retired mode 
8* 



90 SMALL ROTUNDO VESTIBULE. 

of life, might have induced him to become an emi- 
nent patron and protector of the Fine Arts. 

I am, dear sir, your obHged and faithful servant, 

Jno. Trumbull. 

The liberality of Congress in purchasing these 
splendid ornaments for the capitol, thereby com- 
memorating the achievements of the revolutionary 
patriarchs and soldiers, and at the same time afford- 
ing a proper encouragement to the fine arts, is 
worthy of high commendation. More appropriate 
embellishments for the halls of the national legis- 
lature could not have been devised. 

These paintings are very valuable for the faithful 
portraits they furnish. Some critics have found 
fault with the grouping of the figures; and the 
apparent stiffness of the principal officers ; but 
there is a redeeming virtue in the design, sufficient 
to confer real and everlasting value on the painting. 

The noble gray of Gen. Lincoln is admirable. 
On breaking off the interview with Cornwallis and 
the British captured officers, as he reins in his war 
horse, it appears really to breathe and move 
onward. 

In the Declaration of Independence, the portrait 
of Franklin is probably the best ; but in the resig- 
nation at Annapolis, that of Gen. Washington is 
thought by those who knew him in his life, to be 
an imperfect likeness. On the whole, pubHc 
opinion, that was for some time wavering, is now 
fast setting in their favour. 

In the small Rotundo of the south wing, there 
are columns of the tobacco, and, in the vestibule in 



CAPITOL LIBRARY. 91 

front of the hall of representatives, of the cotton 
order ; because these staples have been selected as 
ornaments for their capitals, and are really not 
much inferior, in richness and beauty, to the 
acanthus leaf of the Corinthian. It was the de- 
sign of Mr. Latrobe, the former architect, to make 
this edifice national, and to render it so, as far as 
possible, by the introduction of architectural orna- 
ments derived from the principal native produc- 
tions of our country. He did intend, moreover, to 
support one of the galleries of the senate-chamber 
with emblematic figures of the thirteen old states, 
decorated with their peculiar insignia, and the 
models were actually made by one of those fine 
Italian artists whom he had engaged to be sent to 
this country ; but a neglect or refusal on the part 
of Congress to make necessary appropriations, de- 
feated his design. 

THE LIBRARY. 

Passing* from the rotundo, westerly, along the 
gallery of the principal stairs, the library-room 
door presents itself. This room is ninety-two 
feet long, thirty-four wide, and thirty-six high. 
It is divided into twelve arched alcoves, orna- 
mented with fluted pilasters, copied from the pil- 
lars in the celebrated Octagon Tower at Athens. 
At the entrance, in the centre of the room, which 
is approached from the great central rotundo, are 
two columns of stone, with capitals, corresponding 
with those of the pilasters, and immediately oppo- 
site and fronting the window which leads into the 



92 CAPITOL LIBRARY. 

western colonnade, stand two similar columns of 
stone. These pillars, with alcoves, support two 
galleries, extending nearly the whole length of the 
room on both sides, and divided into the same 
number of shelved recesses as the lower apart- 
ment. From these recesses springs the arch 
which forms the ceiling, elegantly ornamented 
with rich stucco borders, panels, and wreaths of 
flowers. On the roof, which is about ten feet 
above the ceiling, are three sky-lights, the wells of 
which are beautifully decorated with stucco orna- 
ments. The principal apartments, as well as the 
committee-rooms on the north, attached to it, is 
handsomely furnished with sofas, mahogany ta- 
bles, desks, Brussels carpeting, &c. 

This extensive collection of books contains, at 
present, about fourteen thousand volumes, in va- 
rious languages. The library is well chosen. — 
The classical department, in particular, comprises 
many rare books. Mr. Jefferson's arrangement of 
them is still preserved, founded, it is presumed, on 
Bacon's classification of science ; and they are 
divided into chapters, according to the subjects to 
which they relate. Several volumes of gazettes, 
from the different states, have been handsomely 
bound. 

In mineralogy and botany, there is yet a great 
deficiency ; and additions in these branches of 
science, it is hoped may soon be supplied. The 
resources of our country can never be ascertained, 
but by their cultivation. The gold mines, so 
recently discovered in North Carolina and Vir- 
ginia, show how little has been formerly done to 



CAPITOL— LIBRARY. 93 

acquire a knowledge of the mineralogy of the 
country. 

The stores of mineralogy, observes a forcible 
writer, drawn from the grandest resources of a 
country, are in themselves perfectly and inimitably 
beautiful, or those which are fitted to our nearest 
wants, and our most just and polished taste. 
Mineralogy carries in its casket, the diamond of 
regal crowns, the gems of princely magnificence, 
and at the same time, ministers to the comfort of 
the poor and lowly. In every attempt to develope 
and make known its supplies, there is merit ; for 
what benefaction can be greater than some of its 
discoveries ? What would England be without its 
coal and iron ? What Italy without its marble ? 
^nd what may not this country be, ivith all its 
gifts of mineralogy ? 

A very good likeness of Columbus, sent from 
Spain by Mr. Rich, is placed at the southern end 
of the library-room ; but in rather too elevated a 
position to gratify the spectator. 

The first Congressional Library, which was col- 
lected under the direction of Mr. Gallatin, Dr. 
Mitchell, and others, consisted of about three thou- 
sand volumes, and was burnt by the British at the 
close of the last war. It had been gradually in- 
creasing for nearly fourteen years, and was much 
resorted to at the early period of our city, as a 
place of relaxation, in consequence of the want of 
other sources of amusement, and the absence of 
those dinner parties and soirees which are now so 
frequent in our metropolis during the winter. The 
total loss of the library, induced Mr. Jefferson to 



94 CAPITOL LIBRARY MEDALS. 

offer his valuable collection to Congress, -which 
was immediately purchased, though an objection 
was made to the infidel character of some of the 
volumes, and the two great number of bibles it 
contained. It has since been considerably in- 
creased by successive appropriations under the 
direction of the joint library committee, the chair- 
man of which, for a number of years, was Go™ 
vernor Dickerson, a gentleman who devoted a con- 
siderable portion of his time and attention to this 
arduous but agreeable duty. The chairman on 
the part of the House of Representatives is Mr. 
Everett. Works of science and general literature, 
have been constantly and regularly added to the 
library, till it now ranks, in point of numbers, with 
perhaps the fourth class of libraries in this country. 

Note. — The Joint Committee on the Library, at 
present, consist, on the part of the Senate, of 
Messrs. Robbins, Woodbury, and Grundy. 

On the part of the House, of Messrs. Everett, 
Mass., Verplanck, and Wayne. 

LIBRARY MEDALS. 

There are deposited in the Library, in a large 
box, one hundred and forty-two medals in bronze, 
beautifully and exquisitely executed. 

They were cast by order of the French govern- 
ment, except twenty-five, and were designed and 
directed by M. Denon. This splendid series, com- 
mences in the year 1796, and terminates in 1815, 
and of course embraces all the battles and memo- 
rable events which occurred during the emperor 



CAPITOL — LIBRARY — MEDALS. 95 

Bonaparte's reign. Among these is one com- 
memorating his return from Elba, which, in conse- 
quence of the smallness of the number cast, and 
the destruction of the die, is considered, independ- 
ently of its beauty, as very valuable. The whole 
series did not cost less than five thousand francs in 
Paris, which renders it a present as creditable to 
the donor's patriotism as to his liberality. 

The most remarkable events and persons in- 
tended to be commemorated by this series of 
medals, are the following : — 

The battles of Montenotte, Mellisimo, Marengo, 
Austerlitz, Jena, Freedland, Essling, Wagram, 
Moscow, Lutzen, the surrender and capture of 
Mantua — Conquests of Upper and Lower Egypt- 
Passage of the Great St. I3ernard — Death of Des- 
saix — Peace of Amiens — Le Musse Napoleon — 
Legion of Honor — The School of Mines — The 
Code Napoleon — The Coronation at Paris, 4 — 
The Distribution of Eagles — The Tomb of Des- 
saix — The School of Medicine — The Capture of 
Vienna and Presbourg — The Three Emperors — 
The Conquest of Venice, Istra, Dalmatia, and 
Naples — Confederation of the Rhine — The Occu- 
pation of the three Capitols — Peace of Tilsit — The 
Marriage of the Emperor — Birth of the King of 
Rome — The French Eagles upon the Wolga and 
Borristhenes — Foundation of the School of Fine 
Arts — Return of the Emperor — The Empress 
Maria Louisa — The Princesses Eliza and Pau- 
lina — the Queen of Naples, the Queen Horten- 
sia, &;c. 

The most of the designs of this series are very 



96 



CAPITOL LIBRARY MEDALS. 



appropriate and singularly beautiful, and in all, the 
execution is fine and bold. The likenesses are 
said to be accurate, and are certainly well exe- 
cuted ; in short, the whole of this splendid collec- 
tion does great credit to the taste, genius, and skill 
of the French nation. 

They are tastefully arranged in seven horizon- 
tal slides, covered with green cloth, and neatly put 
up in a box made for the purpose. In the collec- 
tion are many female heads, celebrated for talents 
and beauty. Also several of the Emperor's gene- 
rals, who were the most distinguished in his cam- 
paigns. His partiality in his favourite Dessaix, 
is discoverable in the frequent honours that were 
paid of his achievements and military fame. 

In a smaller box, also presented by Mr. Erving, 
and labelled with the appropriate motto from a 
Latin poet, " Pasi ingentia facta Deorum infem- 
pla recepti:^' — there is another slide containing 
seven American medals in Parisian bronze, George 
Washington occupies the centre, with the Latin 
inscription — " Supremo duci exercituum asser- 
tori liberfates.''^ Around the Father of his coun- 
try, are the heads of Columbus, Franklin, Kosci- 
usko, Paul Jones, William Washington, and Col. 
Howard. On the reverse of the latter medal, is 
the following inscription in Latin : — *' Quod in 
nutantein hostium aciem suhito irruens prsecla- 
rum bdlicds virtutis specimen dedit, in pugna ad 
Cowpens.^* 

Belonging to this collection, are two metallic 
medals struck at the mint of Philadelphia — the one 
in honor of General Gates, and the other of Cap- 



CAPITOL — SUPREME COURT. 97 

tain Hull. On the face of the former is a likeness 
of the General with the inscription, " Horatio 
Gates, dud strenuo.^^ The reverse contains a 
representation of the surrender of Burgoyne, with 
the words at top, " Salus regianum septentrio- 
nal;^^ and beneath, the legend, '■'• Haste ad Sara- 
togam in deditionem accepto.^^ On the other 
medal, there is a good likeness of Captain Hull, 
with the motto, — " Perilos arte superat certamine 
fortis.^^ The reverse exhibits the action between 
the Constitution and Guerriere, with the classical 
inscription — ^^ Horse momento victoria.''^ 

The library committee, we rejoice to learn, has 
recently passed a resolution, authorizing the libra- 
rian to procure copies of all the medals struck, 
naval and military, by a resolve of Congress, exe- 
cuted by M. Furst, to be purchased and placed in 
the national library. 

The apartment for the accommodation of the 
Supreme Court, on the basement story of the 
north wing, immediately below the senate-room, is 
of a semicircular shape, with the windows to the 
east to admit the light, which enters awkwardly and 
feebly, at the backs of the judges, on the bench. 
The arches in the ceiling diverge like the radii of 
a circle, from a point over the justice seat, to the 
circumference. On the wall is an emblem of jus- 
tice, holding her scales, in bold relief, and also a 
figure of Fame, crowned with the rising sun, and 
pointing to the Constitution of the United States. 
The members of the bar are conveniently accom- 
modated with seats and desks in the body of the 
apartment; and the visiters are furnished with 
9 



93 CAPITOL EAST FRONT — TYMPANUM. 

rows of benches on the right and left wings of the 
centre of the court. 

The chief justice sits in the centre of the six 
associate justices — all clothed in black gowns or 
robes. 



EAST FRONT TYMPANUM. 

The Genius of America occupies the centre of 
the group. Her figure, like that of all the others, 
is colossal, and fully covered with drapery. She 
stands on a broad unadorned plinth, and her right 
hand holds a shield, inscribed in the centre with 
the letters U. S. A. surrounded with a glory. The 
shield, which is of an oval form, rests on a slender 
altar, on the front of which is an oaken wreath in 
bas relief, with the words " July 4, 1776," within 
it. Behind her rests a spear. Her head, crowned 
with a star, is turned over her left shoulder toward 
the figure of Hope, to whose animated address she 
seems to be listening with attention, but with calm 
self-possession. Hope is an enchanting, airy figure, 
full of fire. She gazes upon the Genius with 
smiles, lifts her right arm and hand into the air, as 
in an attitude of delighted anticipation, while she 
seems to be dwelling on the rising glories and all 
the halcyon prospects of the republic. Her left 
elbow rests on the stock of an anchor, and the left 
hand is bent upwards, grasping in her eagerness, 
a part of her drapery. But the Genius, to whom 
she speaks, instead of catching her enthusiasm, 
points with emphatic dignity to the object on her 
right. This is Justice : a cold chastened figure, 



CAPITOL EAST FRONT TYMPANUM. 99 

with eyes raised toward heaven, holding in her 
right hand an unrolling scroll, on which the words 
** Constitution of the United States'^ appear in 
raised letters of gold. Her left arm is elevated, and 
bears the scales. — She has neither bandage nor 
sword ; for in our free and happy country. Justice 
is clear-sighted, and stands with open face, respect- 
ing and comparing the rights of all ; and it is in 
this, rather than in her punitive energies that she 
is the object of the veneration of freemen. The 
moral of the whole is just and striking. However 
Hope may flatter, America will regard only that 
prosperity which is founded on public right, and 
the preservation of the Constitution. — Such is the 
design : and the execution is worthy of it. The 
figures have grace and elevation ; much of the 
*' mens divinior^^ which is about the w^orks of the 
ancients. The artist at first contemplated giving 
more of nudity ; but he was warned that the pub- 
lic sentiment in this country would not admit of it, 
and in his caution, he has gone into the opposite 
extreme. The head of Justice is covered with a 
fold of her mantle, which projects in a graceful 
form, and which, could the sun reach these figures 
when at the necessary elevation, would cast a fine 
shadow on the upper part of the countenance. But 
it happens, unfortunately, that this can never take 
place : as, before he climbs to that angle, the pedi- 
ment is either partially shaded by the cornice,, or, 
together with the whole eastern front of the build- 
ing, deserted by his rays altogether. The Eagle, 
which is at the feet of the Genius, and between 
her and the figure of Hope, is one of the most mas- 



100 CAPITOL — EAST PORTICO— CUPOLA. 

terly features in the design. Not only is the gene- 
ral outline of the bird strikingly true to nature, but 
the finish of every part of it beautiful in the ex- 
treme. Its head is raised, and turned upward 
toward the countenance of America, while its 
wings are partially expanded, in act to rise, is if 
ready and eager to fly at her command. 

All the figures of the group are colossal, being 
about seven and a half feet in height. A perfect 
symmetry has been given to the form, and the atti- 
tudes are at once graceful and expressive. View- 
ed with the eye of an anatomist, the minuter parts 
of the human structure are developed with a dis- 
tinctness and truth which, while- it displays the 
labor which the artist has directed to the produc- 
tion of these details, exhibits also the extent and 
correctness of his scientific acquirements. In the 
draperies of the figures there is great felicity of 
execution ; the fulness, the folds and flow of the 
mantle, exhibit surpassing excellence. 

The eastern entrance to the rotundo, from the 
floor of the portico, is ornamented with two light 
and beautiful figures, in stone, in the act of crown- 
ing with laurel the bust of Washington, placed 
immediately above the door. 

The rotundo is topped by a cupola and balus- 
trade, accessible by means of a staircase passing 
between the roof and ceiling. From this elevation 
the prospect which bursts upon the eye is splen- 
did : Three cities are spread before you : the 
Potomac on one side, and the Eastern Branch on 
the other, running and rolling their waters to the 
ocean ; a range of hills extending in a magnificent 



CAPITOL CRYPT. 101 

sweep around you, and displaying all the richness 
and verdure of woodland scenery, with here and 
there beautiful slopes in cultivation — the whole 
coloured by the golden beams of the setting sun, 
burnishing the reposing clouds, and gilding the 
tops of the trees, or giving light and shade to the 
living landscape — form a scene which few portions 
of the earth can rival, and which none can surpass. 
The dome of the centre, though nearly a semicir- 
cle, does not please the eye of a stranger ; it wants 
greater or less elevation to contrast agreeably with 
the domes of the wings. 

Besides the principal rooms above mentioned, 
two others deserve notice, from the peculiarity of 
their architecture — the round apartment under 
the rotundo, enclosing forty columns supporting 
groind arches, which form the floor of the rotundo. 
This room is similar to the substructions of the 
European cathedrals, and may take the name of 
Crypt from them : the other room is used by the 
supreme court of the United States — of the same 
style of architecture, with a bold and curiously 
arched ceiling, the columns of these rooms are of 
a massy Doric imitated from the temples of Pos- 
tum. Twenty-five other rooms, of various sizes, 
are appropriated to the oflicers of the two houses 
of Congress, and of the supreme court, and forty- 
five to the use of committees ; they are all vaulted 
and floored with brick and stone. Three principal 
staircases are spacious and varied in their form ; 
these, with the vestibules and numerous corridors 
or passages, it would be diflicult to describe intelli- 
gibly : we will only say, thai they are in coh- 
9 * 



102 CAPITOL CASEMATE ARCHES. 

formity to the dignity of the building and style of 
the parts already named. The building having 
been situated originally on the declivity of a hill, 
occasioned the west front to show its elevation one 
story of rooms below the general level of the east 
front and the ends ; to remedy this defect, and to 
obtain safe deposites for the large quantities of fuel 
annually consumed, a range of casemate arches has 
been projected in a semicircular form to the west, 
and a paved terrace formed over them : this addi- 
tion is of great utility and beauty, and at a short 
distance exhibits the building on one uniform 
level — this terrace is faced with a grass bank, or 
glacis, and at some distance below, another glacis 
w4th steps leads to the level of the west entrance 
of the Porter's Lodges — these, together with the 
piers' to the gates at the several entrances of the 
square, are in the same massy style as the base- 
ment of the building ; the whole area or square is 
surrounded with a lofty iron railing, planted and 
decorated with forest-trees, shrubs, gravel walks, 
and turf. 

Note. — As the dimensions of the columns of 
the western loggia have been severely criticised, 
the following on architectural proportions, seem to 
justify their apparent want of symmetry : — 

" The Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian 
orders, are claimed by the Greeks as their inven- 
tion. The lonians are said to have borrowed the 
proportions of the Ionian column, from the propor- 
tion of an Ionic girl, the flutes of the shaft from the 
folds of her clothes, and the volutes of the capital, 



NOTE, ON COLUMNS. 103 

from her head-dress. And the invention of the 
Corinthian cap is ascribed to the accidental sight 
of a basket which had been placed upon the leaves 
of the acanthus. But these were not the true 
origin of these orders : and we are disposed to 
believe with St. Pierre, that the various propor- 
tions of the palm-tree were the true basis of the 
different architectural orders. The diameter of the 
palm-tree remains the same during the whole 
period of its existence, and whatever may be the 
elevation of its stem. Among the ruins of Perse- 
polis may be seen numerous imitations of this 
tree. It will be recollected that the various pro- 
portions of the different orders, which in the Tus- 
can is seven times its diameter height, the Doric 
eight times, the Ionic nine, the Corinthian ten, 
have been described to the difference of proportion 
in a young woman at different ages. It is said her 
stature has, in infancy, seven times the breadth of 
the face, when more advanced, eight times ; when 
still older, nine times ; and when arrived at perfect 
maturity, ten times. "It is not more likely,'^ says 
St. Pierre, " that the trunk of the palm-tree 
afforded the first model of a pillar by its perpendi- 
cular attitude and the equality of its diameters, as 
well as that it suggested the cylindrical tambours 
in the Tuscan order, by its annual rings. I am 
inclined likewise, to look for the first notion of 
fluting the shafts in the vertical crevices of the 
bark which serve to convey to the root the rain 
that falls on its leaves. — I am further inclined to 
.race the volutes of the Ionic capital to the first 
circles of the sheathes ; the Corinthian capital to 



104 

the leaves of its palms ; the proportions of the dif- 
ferent orders to the height of its trunk at different 
ages ; and finally, the plan of arranging columns 
together, to the manner in which palm-trees are 
found grouped by the hand of nature." 

THE president's HOUSE. 

On the 14th of March, 1792, the Commis- 
sioners of the city of Washington offered a pre- 
mium, by advertisement in the public papers, for a 
plan for the President's house, and another for a 
design for the Capitol, to be presented on the 15th 
of July. 

The plan for the President's house, presented by 
Capt. James Hoban, was approved, and on the 
13th of October a procession was formed for laying 
the corner-stone of that building. 

The President's house was wholly constructed 
after the designs and under the direction of Capt. 
James Hoban, and the interior was rebuilt by him, 
after it had been destroyed by the enemy in 1814, 
is situated at the westerly part of the city, at the 
intersection of Pennsylvania, New York, Connec- 
ticut and Vermont avenues, which radiate from 
this point as centre. 

It stands near the centre of a plat of ground of 
twenty acres, at an elevation of forty-four feet 
above the usual high water of the river Potomac. 
The entrance front faces north, upon La Fayette 
Square, and the garden front to the south, opens to 
an extensive and finely varied view of the Capitol 
and most improved part of the city, of the river, and 



105 

Potomac Bridge, and of the opposite Virginia and 
Maryland shores. The building is one hundred 
and seventy feet front and eighty-six deep ; is built 
of white free stone, with Ionic pilasters, compre- 
hending two lofty stories of rooms, crowned with 
a stone balustrade. The north front is ornamented 
with a lofty portico, of four Ionic columns in front, 
and projecting with three columns. The outer 
intercolumniation is for carriages to drive into, and 
place company under shelter ; the middle space is 
the entrance for those visiters who come on foot ; 
the steps from both lead to a broad platform in 
front of the door of entrance. The garden front is 
varied by having a rusticated basement story under 
the Ionic ordonnance, and by a semicircular pro- 
jecting colonnade of six columns, with two flights 
of steps leading from the ground, to the level of the 
principal story. 

In the interior, the north entrance opens imme- 
diately into a spacious hall of forty by fifty feet, 
furnished simply, with plain stuccoed walls. Ad- 
vancing through a screen of Ionic columns, appa- 
rently of white marble, but only of a well executed 
imitation, in composition: the door in the centre 
opens into the oval room, or saloon, of forty by 
thirty feet — the walls covered with plain crimson 
flock paper, with deep gilded borders. The mar- 
ble chimney-piece and tables, the crimson silk 
drapery of the window curtains and chairs, with 
the carpet of French manufacture, wove in one 
piece, with the arms of the United States in the 
centre, two large mirrors and a splendid cut glass 
chandelier, give the appearance of a rich and con- 



106 

sistent style of decoration and finish. On each 
side of this room, and communicating therewith by 
large doors, is a square room of thirty by twenty- 
two feet. These three rooms form the suit of 
apartments in which company is usually received 
on parade occasions. To the west of these is the 
company dining-roorn, forty by thirty, and on the 
northwest corner is the family dining-room. All 
these rooms are finished handsomely, but less 
richly than the oval room; the walls are covered 
with green, yellow, white, and blue papers, sprin- 
kled with gold stars and with gilt borders. Tlie 
stairs, for family use, are in a cross entry at this 
end, with store-rooms, china closets, (fee, between 
the two dining-rooms. On the east end of the 
house is the large banqueting room, extending the 
whole depth of the building, with windows to the 
north and south, and a large glass door to the east, 
leading to the terrace-roof of the offices. This room 
is eighty by forty feet, and twenty-two high ; it is 
finished with handsome stucco-cornice. It has 
lately been fitted up in a very neat manner. The 
paper is of fine lemon-colour, with a rich cloth 
border. There are four mantels of black marble 
with Italian black and gold fronts, and handsome 
grates ; each mantel is surmounted with a mirror, 
the plates of which measure one hundred by fifty- 
eight inches, framed in a very beautiful style, and 
a pair of rich ten-light lamps, bronzed and gilt, 
with a row of drops around the fountain ; and a 
pair of French cepina vases, richly gilt and painted 
with glass shades and flowers. There are three 
handsome chandeliers of eighteen lights each, of 



107 

cut glass of remarkable brilliancy, in gilt mount- 
ings, with a number of gilt bracket-lights of five 
candles each. The carpet, which contains nearly 
five hundred yards, is of fine Brussels, of fawn, 
blue, and yellow, with red border. Under each 
chandelier is placed a round table of rich work- 
manship of Italian black and gold slabs — and each 
pier is filled with a table corresponding with the 
round tables, with splendid lamps on each of them. 
The curtains are of light blue moreen with yellow 
draperies, with a gilded eagle, holding up the 
drapery of each. On the cornices of the curtains 
in a line of stairs, and over the semicircle of the 
door, besides large gilded and ornamented rays, 
are twenty-four gilded stars, emblematic of the 
States. The sofas and chairs are covered with 
blue damask satin. All the furniture corresponds 
in colour and style. The principal stairs on the 
left of the entrance hall, are spacious and covered 
with Brussels carpeting. On ascending these, the 
visiter to the President is led into a spacious anti- 
room, to wait for introduction in regular succession 
with others, and may have considerable time to 
look from the south windows upon the beautiful 
prospect before him ; when in course to be intro- 
duced, he ascends a few steps and finds himself in 
the east corner chamber, the President's cabinet 
room, where every thing announces the august 
simplicity of our government. The room is about 
forty feet wide, and finished like those below. The 
centre is occupied by a large table, completely 
covered with books, papers, parchments, Slc, and 
seems like a general repository of every thing that 
may be wanted for reference ; while the President 



108 PUBLIC OFFICES. 

is seated at a smaller table near the fire-place, 
covered with the papers which are the subject of 
his immediate attention ; and which, by their num- 
ber, admonish the visiter to occupy no more of his 
time, for objects of business or civility, than neces- 
sity requires. The other chambers are appropri- 
ated to family purposes. 

Some persons, under every administration, have 
objected to the style of the President's mansion, 
as bordering on unnecessary state and parade — but 
we are of a different opinion. It is the house pro- 
vided by the people for the residence of the chief 
magistrate of their choice, and he is the tenant at 
certain seasons for four, or at most eight years ; it 
hardly equals the seats of many of the nobility and 
wealthy commoners of England, and bears no com- 
parison with the residences of the petty princes of 
Germany or the grand dukes of Italy : it exhibits . 
no rich marbles, fine statues, nor costly paintings. 
It is what the mansion of the head of this Republic 
should be, large enough for public and family pur- 
poses, and should be finished and maintained in a 
style to gratify every wish for convenience and 
pleasure. The state of the grounds will not meet 
this description ; they have an unfinished and 
neglected appearance ; we hope they will not long 
remain so rude and uncultivated. 



PUBLIC OFFICES. 

The Department of State is a two-story brick 
building, fronting on Fifteenth Street, west, and 
lying northeast of the President's house. 

The Treasury Office was a building of the 



MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS. 109 

same kind as that of the Department of State front- 
ing south, on the same street, was destroyed by 
fire, on the 31st of March, 1833, and is now 
rebuilding on the same site, very much enlarged. 

The Navy and War Departments are on Seven- 
teenth Street, west, and of the same structure as 
the State Department. 

MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS. 

The Capitol Square is enclosed by strong and 
handsome iron-railing, and planted with trees and 
shrubbery, and will in a short time afford a de- 
lightful promenade. Some additions are making 
at the President's house and public offices. 

Prior to the conflagration in 1814, many doubts 
had been expressed whether the seat of the na- 
tional government would remain at Washington, 
and at the session of congress immediately after 
that event, a serious effort was made to transfer 
the offices of government to another place ; but the 
motion to that effect having failed. Congress libe- 
rally appropriated money to rebuild the public 
edifices, and voted to replace their library by the 
purchase of that of Thomas Jefferson ; it con- 
sists now of about twenty-five thousand volumes. 
Those who had been the most forward in pro- 
moting its removal, were now the most ardent in 
voting to promote the prosperity of the city — 
thereby giving to it an unquestionable character of 
permanency. 

The former pile bridge over the Potomac having 
been destroyed by the ice, another has been erected 
10 



110 MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS. 

at the expense of the Government, leading to 
Alexandria ; and is nearly a mile in length ; and 
two over the Eastern Branch. Of turnpikes, there 
is one to Alexandria, one to intersect the Little 
River Turnpike, in Virginia ; another to Baltimore, 
completed, and one now opening to Montgomery- 
Court House. A canal passes through the city, 
connecting the waters of the Eastern Branch with 
the Potomac, and through which the massy marble 
columns brought down the Potomac were convey- 
ed to the capitol. The Eastern Branch has a 
sufRcient depth of water for frigates to ascend to 
the navy-yard without lightening, and vessels 
drawing fourteen feet water can come up to the 
Potomac Bridge, near to which are three good 
wharves, and from thence to the mouth of the 
Tiber there is ten feet at high tide. — The Tiber 
itself is shallow, having a soft muddy bottom, 
which might be easily removed, so as to afford 
eight feet water to the Centre Market, on Pennsyl- 
vania Avenue, and on it there are four wharves and 
three bridges. There are four market-houses, in 
each of which, markets are held triweekly; the 
centre one is large and commodious, and well sup- 
plied — it forms three sides of an oblong square ; the 
south front being open to the water of the Tiber. 
The city contains, also, a large infirmary, a female 
orphan asylum, a jail, two theatres erected since 
the destruction of the old one by fire, and the old 
one rebuilt for assembly rooms ; a city hall, com- 
menced in August, 1820, the south half of which 
is built and enclosed ; it presents a front of two 
hundred and fifty-one feet, erected from the pro- 



MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS. Ill 

ceeds of a lottery, authorized by Congress ; three 
buildings for public schools, two of which is on the 
Lancasterian plan, supported by the Corporation, 
open for all poor children ; fourteen places of pub- 
lic worship, viz. : two for Episcopalians, three 
Catholic, three Presbyterian, two Methodist, two 
Baptist, one Unitarian, and a Friends' Meeting, 
which are generally well attended. There are also 
a City Library, Medical, Botanical, Clerk's Bene- 
volent, Masonic, Orphan, Dorcas, Bible, Mis- 
sionary, Tract Societies, and other institutions. — 
Education is not overlooked, as is evinced by the 
numerous academies and schools which are esta- 
blished. Besides the Columbian College, adjoin- 
ing the city, there is a large Catholic Theological 
Seminary in the city, connected with which is a 
school for the general education of youth. Stores 
of every description are increasing in number, and 
baths have been erected for the convenience of the 
public. An extensive window-glass manufactory, 
which supplies the market, and exports to a con- 
siderable amount ; five very extensive taverns, with 
accommodations equal to any of a similar nature ; 
three banks, and a branch of the United States 
Bank, a Fire Insurance Company ; ten Printing 
Offices ; two daily papers, two triweekly, one 
twice a week, and two weekly. A steamboat runs 
regularly to Aquia Creek, one to Alexandria, and 
another from Norfolk to the city. The Pennsyl- 
vania Avenue is supplied with spring water by 
means of wooden pipes and hydrants A line of 
cast-iron pipes is laid on the north side of Penn- 
sylvania Avenue, between the reservoir on the 



113 MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS. 

Capitol Hill to the new treasury office, on Fif- 
teenth Street, west, a distance of more than eight 
thousand feet. A new spring has been opened on 
K and Twelfth streets, west, and conveyed in 
pipes to the neighborhood of the Branch Bank, 
affording upwards of sixty gallons of water per 
minute ; there are also pipes and hydrants from 
a spring near New Jersey Avenue, south of the 
capitol, and another near the Navy-yard Market. 
West of the Navy-yard, on the Eastern Branch, 
there are several extensive wharves, and ware- 
houses, a brewery, and steam-mill. 

The seat of government was removed here in 
the year 1800, during the presidency of John 
Adams. The superintendence of the city, as far 
as the United States were concerned, was in the 
first instance placed in the hands of three commis- 
sioners, until May, 1802, when the Board was 
abolished, and a superintendent appointed. The 
legal jurisdiction was assumed by Congress on 
the 27th February, 1801, and the laws of Mary- 
land and Virginia, then existing, were declared to 
be in force, which is the case at present, with few 
exceptions. The judges of the Circuit Court com- 
pose a court for the trial of all cases, both civil and 
criminal. There is likewise an Orphans Court, and 
a Register of Wills. There is no tribunal for the 
trial of city causes, if the minor magistracy is ex- 
cepted ; these are appointed by the president of the 
United States, and can only give judgment for sums 
of twenty dollars, and under ; and perform such 
other duties as are usual. 

The city was incorporated by an act of Congress, 



MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS. 113 

passed the 3d of May, 1802, by which act, the ap- 
pointment of the Mayor was vested in the President, 
yearly ; and the two branches of the council, elected 
by the people, in a general ticket. By a supple- 
mentary act, passed May 4, 1812, the Corporation 
was made to consist of a Mayor, a Board of Alder- 
men, and a Board of Common Council ; the Board 
of Aldermen to consist of eight members, elected 
for two years, to be residents of, and chosen from, 
each ward ; the Board of Common Council to 
consist of twelve, three from each ward ; and the 
Mayor by the joint ballot of the members of the 
two boards, to serve for one year. By a new 
charter, granted by Congress, on the 15th of May, 
1820, it is provided, that the Mayor be elected by 
the people, to serve two years, from the second 
Monday in June ; the Board of Aldermen to con- 
sist of two members from each ward, elected for 
two years, and are ex-officio justices of the peace 
for the whole county ; the Board of Common Coun- 
cil to consist of three members from each ward, to 
serve one year ; and every free white male citizen 
of the United States, of lawful age, having resided 
in the city one year previous to the election, being 
a resident of the ward in which he offers to vote, 
and shall have been assessed on the books of the 
Corporation, for the year ending on the 31st of 
December, preceding the election, and shall have 
paid all taxes legally assessed and due on personal 
property, when legally required to pay the same, 
shall be entitled to vote at any election for Mayor, 
or members of the two boards. 

The city is, by an act of the Council, divided 
10* 



114 MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS. 

into six wards, bounded as follows, viz : " All that 
part of the city to the westward of Fifteenth street, 
west, shall constitute the First ward ; that part to 
the eastward of Fifteenth street, west, and to the 
westward of Tenth street, west, shall constitute the 
Second ; that part to the eastward of Tenth street, 
west, to the westward of First street, west, and to 
the northward of E street, south, shall constitute 
the Third ; that part to the eastward of First street, 
west, to the westward of Eighth street, east, and to 
the northward of E street, south, shall constitute 
the Fourth ; that part to the eastward of Tenth 
street, west, to the westward of Fourth street, east, 
and to the southward of E street, south, shall con- 
stitute the Fifth ; and the residue of the city shall 
constitute the Sixth ward." 

The number of dwellings, exclusive of public 
buildings and shops, was, on the 1st of January, 
1822, 2229— -of which, 1045 were brick, and 1184 
wood ; and the assessed valuation of real and per- 
sonal property, on the 1st of January, 1821, was 
$6,668,726, affording a revenue of $32,843 63 ; 
in addition to which, there is a revenue of $10,000 
arising from the licenses of taverns, hackney coach- 
es, <S£c., which is appropriated to the support of the 
poor, of public schools and markets, and to pay 
the officers of the Corporation. 

There is, perhaps, no city in the Union, that 
has so many pleasant heights adjoining it as Wash- 
ington, being surrounded by them, in the shape of 
a horse shoe ; the Potomac, of more than a mile 
in width, forming the opening to the South. These 
heights afford delightful sites for country seats, of 



EXPENSE OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 115 

which there are already a number erected. The 
city combines, in a high degree, the requisites de- 
sirable for the metropolis of the Union. Situated 
at the head of tide-water navigation, near the centre 
of the sea-board line, and a ready communication 
with the ocean ; springs of pure water in abundance; 
convenient for intercourse with every section of the 
republic ; ample as to territory ; the most beautiful 
situations for public and private edifices ; markets 
not proportionably higher than those of other cities ; 
fish in abundance ; the Potomac affording astonish- 
ing quantities of shad and herring, the first from 
three to six dollars per hundred, and the last from 
one to two dollars per thousand. The weights and 
measures are regulated to the Maryland standard. 

To correct a prevailing error, that the city has 
been, and continues to be, a burthen to the United 
States, the following statement is given, by which 
it will appear that this is not the case — but, that 
after charging the city with the expense of erecting 
the public buildings, originally, and their re-erec- 
tion after their destruction by the enemy, there will 
remain a great balance in favor of the city. 

Answers by the Commissioner of the Public 
Buildings to certain questions put to him by 
a Committee of Congress. 

First. — " The authority assumed and exercised 
by the Government over the disposition of city 
lots ? The length of time in which it was exer- 
cised?" 

Answer. — The Government assumed and exer- 



116 EXPENSE OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 

cised authority over the disposition of the city 
lots, from January, 1791, (when the appointment 
of the first commissioner took place,) until the 
present time. 

The act of Congress, establishing the temporary 
and permanent seat of the government of the tlnited 
States, passed 16th July, 1790. — That act autho- 
rized the President of the United States to appoint 
three commissioners, who, under his direction, 
were to survey and define the limits of the oity : it 
also gave them the power to purchase or accept 
lands for the use of the United States, and to pro- 
vide suitable buildings for the accommodation of 
Congress and of the President; and for the public 
offices of the government of the United States. For 
defraying the expense of such purchases and build- 
ings, the President was authorized to accept grants 
of money ; and Virginia did grant $120,000; and 
Maryland $72,000, for that purpose. 

By an agreement entered into between President 
Washington and the original proprietors of the lands 
on which the city was founded, the proprietors exe- 
cuted deeds of trust to Thomas Beall of George 
and John M. Gantt, by which they conveyed all 
their lands, within the proposed limits, for a Fede- 
ral City, to be laid out with such streets, squares, 
parcels, and lots, as the President of the United 
States should approve. The trustees were directed 
to convey, and did convey to the commissioners 
for the time being, and their successors in office, 
for the use of the United States, for ever, all the 
said streets and such of the said squares, parcels, 
and lots as the President should deem proper for 



EXPENSE OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 117 

the United States. The residue of the lots were 
directed to be divided equally ; one half to be as- 
signed to the original proprietors, and the other 
half " to be sold at such time or times, and on such 
terms and conditions, as the President of the United 
States, for the time being, shall direct.'* And the 
produce of the sales of the lots, when sold as afore- 
said, were to be applied to the payment in money 
for so much of the land as might be appropriated 
to the use of the United States, at the rate of twen- 
ty-five pounds (or $66 2-3,) per acre, not counting 
the said streets as part thereof. " And the said 
twenty-five pounds per acre being so paid or in any 
other manner satisfied, that the produce of the same 
sales or what thereof may remain as aforesaid, in 
money or securities of any kind, shall be paid, as- 
signed, transferred and delivered over to the Presi- 
dent, for the time being, as a grant of money, and 
to be applied for the purposes, and according to the 
act of Congress aforesaid." 

Second, — " The laying out the plans and streets 
of the city ? The authority of Government over 
them?" 

Answer. — The plan of the City of Washington, 
as it has been laid out, within the district of ten 
miles square, was placed before congress on the 
15th December, 1791, by President Washington; 
and the Government exercised authority over the 
*' plan and streets" of the city until the 15th May, 
1820, when the act of incorporation gave the au- 
thority to the corporate authorities of Washington. 

Third. — " The amount, at all times, expended 
by the Government on the streets ?" 



118 EXPENSE OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 

Answer. — The expenditures of the Government, 
for the improvement of the streets, were as fol- 
lovt^s: — 
1800. Making footvt^ay from Georgetown to the 

capitol - - - $10,000 00 

1803. Improving Pennsyl'a Avenue 13,466 69 
1807. Repairing and opening streets 

and avenues - • 8,000 00 

1823. Streets and foot pavements 5,000 00 

1824. Foot pavements between ca- 

pitol and executive offices 5,000 00 

1825. Road around Capitol square 3,018 00 
Road adjoining President's 

square ... - 1,080 00 

1832. Laying pounded stone on 

Pennsylvania Avenue - 62,000 00 

1833. Further improvements on Pa. 

Avenue - - - 69,000 00 

Planting trees and improving 

the walk on Penn. Avenue 1,848 00 

1834. To pay outstanding claims for 

work done on Pa. Avenue 3,700 11^ 

To finish foot pavements, en- 
trances of tunnels, sewers, 
&c. ... - 3,770 00 

Removing mud and dust from 

Pennsylvania Avenue - 143 70 

To keep the Avenue in repair 

one year - - - 400 00 

Repairing north end of Tiber 

bridge - , - . 1,145 41 

$183,571 9U 



EXPENSE OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 119 

Amount brought forward, - $182,571 9U 
1834. Excess of expenditures for 

work on Penn. Avenue - 22,791 01 
Amount paid sundry persons 

for graduation, filling up 

and improvements ofstreets 

and avenues - - - 3,562 75 



$208,925 672 



Fourth. — *' The whole amount paid from the be- 
ginning of the Government, by it for the city, and 
not for its own accommodation ?" 

Ansiver. — 
1823. Courthouse for Circuit Court $10,000 00 



1824. Fitting up the same 


-. 


1,116 00 


1802. Building a jail in Washington 


5,800 00 


1803. do do 


do 


5,906 00 


1826. Repairing do 


do 


5,000 00 


" Penitentiary in Dis. 


Columbia 


40,000 00 


1827. do do 


do 


15,390 00 


1828. do do 


do 


22,387 97 


1829. do do 


do 


27,000 00 


1831. do do 


do 


36,360 00 


1832. do do 


do 


38,500 00 


1833. do do 


do 


14,436 00 




$221,895 97 


Improvement of the s 


treets 


208,925 671 




S 430,821 64^ 



Fifth. — "The amount of land received by the 
Government?" 



120 EXPENSE OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 

Answer. — The number of building lots assigned 
to the United States, in the division with the origi- 
nal proprietors, was ten thousand one hundred and 
thirty-six. 

Sixth. — " Money received for land sold by the 
Government?" 

Answer. — The amount of sales, for lots sold, up 
to this day is $741,024 45. 

Seventh. — " The value of lots unsold ?" 
Answer. — The value of lots unsold, by the as- 
sessment of 1824, (which is considered a fair valu- 
ation,) is $109,221 84. This, however, includes 
two hundred and thirty-six lots in dispute. 
Eighth. — " The value of lots given away?" 
Answer. — There have been given to the Wash- 
ington City Orphan Asylum, lots, 

valued at - - - $10,000 00 

Ditto to St. Vincent's Female Or- 
phan Asylum of Washington, un- 
der the direction of the " Sisters 
of Charity" - - - - 10,000 00 
Ditto to the " Columbian College" 25,000 00 
Ditto to the " Georgetown College" 25,000 00 



$70,000 00 
jVzn/^.— *' Paid by the Government to original 
proprietors ?" 

Answer. — The "reservations" of entire squares 
or larger sections of ground, were seventeen in 
number and contained five hundred and forty-one 
acres, one rood and thirty-nine perches. For these 
the Government paid at the rate of $66 2-3 per 
acre, amounting to the sum of $36,099 00. 



EXPENSE OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 121 

Tenth. — " Expended by Government on public 
buildings and improvements up to the burning of 
the capitol, and what since V 

Ansiver. — The expenditures on the public build- 
ings up to 1814, have been as follows : — 
On the wings of the capitol, previous to their de- 
struction in 1814 - - 8788,07198 
On the President's house, previous 

to ditto ... - 333,207 00 

On the public offices - - 93,014 00 

81,214,292 98 
Expended by the Goveniment on the public 
buildings and improvements connected with them, 
since 1814. 

1830. Rebuilding of the wings of the 

capitol - - - 8687,126 00 

Do. the President's house, in- 
cluding two porticos - 301,496 25 

Do. Public offices - - 68,317 00 

Erecting entire buildings of 

the capitol - - - 957,647 36 

1831. Improving grounds around 

the capitol - - - 2,000 00 
Finishing gates and fences 5,984 00 

Planting &l improving grounds 

at President's house - 2,000 00 

1832. Enclosing ground attached to 

the Treasury Department 1,500 00 
Improving grounds at the Pre- 
sident's house - - 2,000 00 



82,228,070 61 
11 



122 EXPENSE OP PUBLIC BUILDINGS* 

Amount brought forward, - $2,028,070 61 
1832. Conducting water in pipes to 

Executive buildings - 5,700 00 

Conveying water in pipes to 

thecapitol - - • 40,000 00 
Repairs of the Library - 3,000 00 

Alterations and repairs of the 

capitol - - - - 500 00 

Do do at the President's 

house - - - - 300 00 

Do do in the Hall of the 

House of Representatives 960 00 

1533. For Pedestal wall, coping and 

iron railing north front of 

the President's house - 10,000 00 
Improving Capitol square - 1,550 00 

Regulating ground and 

planting, south of Presi- 
dent's house - - 4,660 00 
Constructing reservoirs and 

fountains at the public offices 

and President's house, and 

enclosing Fountain square 6,723 00 
1834. Erecting wooden fence, north- 
east of Executive buildings 1,600 00 
Laying pipes to drain east and 

west reservoirs - - 2,633 00 

Planting trees and improving 

President's square - 1,000 00 

Completing water-works to 

President's house, &c. 1,052 00 



82,107,748 61 



EXPENSE OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 123 

Amount brought forward, - $2,107,748 61 
1834. Paving foot-way and making a 

gravel carriage-way north 

front of the President's 

house - - - . 13,740 00 
Constructing ornamental hy- 
drant of marble at the west 

fountain of the capitol - , 1 ,022 00 
Alterations and repairs of the 

capitol, including the new 

covering of the centre dome 5,290 33| 



$2,127,800 94i 


Expenditures up to 1814, 1,214,292 98 


$3,342,093 921 


1835. Repairing culvert at the west 




front of the capitol 


322 421 


Completing the work of re- 




pairing and putting in order 




the Congressiona burying 




ground - - - 


600 00 


Improving Lafayette square 


229 61 


Lighting lamps, and keeping 




the grounds and walks in 




order, including cost of 




trees and shrubs 


4,433 62^ 


Laying a line of water pipes 




from the State to the Navy 




Department - - - 


1,536 Sn 


Alterations and repairs of the 





$3,349,216 46^ 



124 EXPENSE OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 

Amount brought forward, $3,349,216 46 

capitol, including domes, 
&e. ... - 12,361 38 

1835. Preparing niches for the re- 

ception of the statues at the 

east front of the capitol - 460 00 

Alterations and repairs of the 

President's house, for the 

gardener's salary and for 

keeping the grounds and 

walks in order - - 4,115 70| 
Protection of the waste water- 
pipes and repairing pipes, 

&c. - - - - 521 551 

Annual expense of two fire 

engines - - - 200 00 

1836. Alterations and repairs of the 

capitol, including the domes 

&c. - - - - 7,752 90f 
Lighting lamps and keeping 

the grounds and walks of 

the Capitol square in order, 

including the cost of trees 

and shrubs - - - 3,890 68 
The gardener employed in 

superintending the Capitol 

square and other public 

grounds - - - 1,000 00 

Alterations and repairs of the 

President's house, for the 

gardener's salary and for 



$3,379,518 681 



EXPENSE OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 125 

Amount brought forward, - $3,379,578 68| 

keeping the grounds and 

walks in order, &;c. - 2,995 59| 

1836. Annual expense of two fire 

engines - . - 200 00 

Graveling the yard east of the 

capitol - - - 1,907 09 1 

Repairing culverts - - 144 81| 

Purchase of Smith's spring, 

including one acre of land 

and for enclosing the same, 

for building culverts, and 

keeping the water pipes in 

order - - - - 5,115 72^ 
Attendant on the furnaces of 

the Rotundo during the 

recess - - - 150 00 

Replanting trees and keep- 
ing boxes in order on Penn- 
sylvania Avenue, purchase 

of trees and planting in 

Fountain square, Lafayette 

square and across the pub- 
lic reservation at Seventh 

street . . - - 476 63 

Building a M^orkshop - 1,207 67 

Conveying the surplus water 

of the capitol to the Botanic 

garden, making a basin, and 

purchasing a fountain of 

Hiram Powers - - 628 85 



$3,392,345 07| 
11* 



126 COLUMBIAN COLLEGE. 

Amount brought forward, $ 3,392,345 07 

1836. Enclosing the garden and 
grounds of the Magazine 
and Marine Hospital near 
the Eastern Branch - 500 00 

A dwarf wall and fence be- 
tween the Executive build- 
ings and the President's 
house . - - - 942 72| 

Extending the Capitol square 
and improving the grounds 
within and adjacent to the 
same, as far west as First 
street, intersecting the 
Pennsylvania Avenue, from 
the east - - - 15,513 02| 

Enlarging the folding room 
of the House - - 347 46 

Improving Maryland Avenue, 

east - - - - 2,309 08| 

Do do do., west 1,870 56| 

Erecting a Treasury building 45,404 60| 

Erecting a Patent office build- 
ing - - - - 22,580 041 



$3,481,812 591 



In the vicinity of the city are many valuable 
improvements ; the most conspicuous of which is 
the Columbian College " incorporated by an act of 
congress, February 9, 1821." The land for the 
building was purchased in December 1819; the 
edifice began in April, 1820, and was completed 



COLUMBIAN COLLEGE. 127 

in September, 1821. The premises contain about 
forty-seven acres, occupying one of the most beauti- 
ful eminences in America. It is situated north of the 
city, and according to Mr. Lambert, is seven thou- 
sand nine hundred and seventy feet west longitude, 
or one and a iialf miles and fifty feet from the ca- 
pitol, and about one and a half miles north of the 
President's house, commanding a view of the city, 
the surrounding country, the Potomac, Alexandria, 
Fort Washington, fifteen miles down the Potomac, 
and the heights of Mount Vernon. The southern 
boundary of the college lot is the northern bounda- 
ry of the city ; and Fourteenth street, west, runs in a 
right south line from the college to the east end of 
the Potomac bridge. A more beautiful, a more 
convenient, or a more healthy spot, is not to be 
found in the Union. Last autumn was the most 
sickly season ever known in these regions, and 
though about twenty persons then inhabited this 
building, not one case of sickness occurred among 
them. The college edifice fronting the south is so 
constructed, that a free circulation of air will at all 
times be admitted into every part of the building 
during the warm season of the year. There is a 
never-failing well of pure water near the door. The 
building is three stories high, besides a basement 
and aitic stories — both the interior and division 
walls are brick, and the building is one hundred and 
seventeen feet long and forty-seven wide. Besides 
this, two substantial and convenient houses are 
erected for the professors. 



128 CITY HALL — PUBLIC GROUNDS. 



CITY HALL. 

This magnificent building was planned, and the 
south front partly executed by the late George Had- 
field, an artist of uncommon talents. Should it ever 
be finished it will be an ornament, riot only to the 
City of Washington, but to the United States. On 
the first floor, west wing, are the Mayor's, Regis- 
ter's, Clerk's, Collector's, and Surveyor's offices : 
also the Draftsman's office of W. P. Elliot, Patent 
agent, and the Draftsman's office of the Patent 
office. 

In the second story of the same wing, are the 
diflJerent offices relating to the Patent office. 

In the centre, the Circuit Court holds its sittings. 

The east wing contains the Clerk's office of the 
court. 

THE PUBLIC GROUNDS. 

Within the last three or four years great improve- 
ments have taken place in the Capitol square, in the 
President's garden, and Lafayette square, under the 
direction of the present commissioner of the public 
buildings. Major William Noland. 

The Capitol Square has been enlarged to the 
west, by taking in that part of the Mall extending 
from the circular road to First street, west ; making 
about eight acres additional. This space has been 
properly graded and planted with trees and shrubs 
by Mr. James Maher, the public gardener : — the 
other part of the square was planted by the late 
John Foy, a man of excellent talents and taste, A 



WASHINGTON MONUMENT. 129 

good substantial stone wall, surmounted by an iron- 
railing, surrounds the whole square. When the 
walks are completed, and the water-fountains 
arranged, this square will afford the most beautiful 
and healthful walks : a subject well deserving public 
attention. 

The President's Garden is in good order ; is 
well laid out, and filled with beautiful shrubbery ; 
and also afTords pleasant walks ; but the grounds 
south of the President's house still remain in an un- 
improved state. It would not require much money 
to grade this ground, and form a fish-pond, which 
would not only be highly ornamental, but would 
serve to furnish out a delightful dish of fish to 
strangers who visit the President. 

Lafayette Square, on the north front of the Pre- 
sident's house, is laid out, enclosed, and the borders 
planted with trees : it requires considerable labour 
and expense to complete it in a style worthy of the 
nation. 

WASHINGTON MONUMENT. 

Through the patriotism and persevering exer- 
tions of our townsman, Mr. George Watterston, this 
magnificent object will at last be effected. Twenty- 
seven thousand dollars have already been collected, 
and deposited in bank. 

It seems that the public have decided that the 
centre of the Mall fronting the capitol, and near 
where lines, if continued, from Virginia and Mis- 
souri avenues would intersect each other on the 
Mall, and would be distinctly seen in these lines, 
is the place fixed on. It lies between Fourteenth 



130 THE COLUMBIAN INSTITUTE. 

and Fifteenth streets, west, on a plateau of about 
one hundred thousand square feet. Here let the 
figure of Washington stand, as represented by his 
friend and Architect, Hadfield, surrounded by Wis- 
dom, Fortitude^ Justice, and Chastity, 



THE COLUMBIAN INSTITUTE. 

This is a literary institution founded in about 
the year 1816. It first bore the tide of the Me- 
tropolitan Society ; but was afterwards changed 
to its present title, and under which a charter was 
granted by Congress. 

This society numbers amongst its honorary, 
corresponding, and resident members, many of the 
most distinguished men in the country ; and will 
probably in time, become one of the first societies 
in the country for the promotion of literature and 
useful knowledge. A few papers only have as 
yet been read ; some of which have been pub- 
lished in newspapers for want of a more proper 
vehicle of conveyance. 

At the last session of Congress a memorial was 
presented by the Institute, for Congress to refund 
expenses which the society had incurred in plant- 
ing trees, shrubs, &c. on the public ground (the 
use of which had been granted to the Institute,) 
this it is proposed to expend in erecting a building 
in which to hold their meetings, &c. ; and it will 
probably be effected, as there was no opposition to 
repayment of the money; and the president has 
granted permission, under certain restrictions, to 
let the building be erected on the public ground at 



SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS. 131 

the comer of Third street, west, and Pennsylvania 
avenue. 

THE INFIRMARY AND POOR-HOUSE. 

On the elevated ground to the north of the old 
Post and Patent offices, are erected commodious 
buildings for the reception of the poor and infirm, 
and which are very numerous in proportion to the 
population of the city. This arises in a great 
measure from the influx of strangers from all parts 
of the Union who come to the seat of the general 
government to seek redress from Congress and 
the President, for their various complaints and 
grievances. The city of Washington, already over- 
whelmed with its own proper expenses, can ill 
aflford aid to so numerous a class of mendicants. 
And our worthy physician. Dr. M' Williams, has 
certainly given attendance to many hundreds of 
this class, for which he has received no other 
compensation than the reflections of a liberal mind. 
Government will not certainly let him remain 
unpaid for his services. It has been moved in 
Congress, and it is to be hoped will be soon car- 
ried into efiect, the erection of a suitable building 
to receive these numerous applicants of national 
regard. 

SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS. 

TJie Horticultural Society of TVashington, has 
distinguished itself by its industry and intelligence ; 
its annual exhibitions in point of elegance and 
taste are equal to any exhibited in any country ; in 



132 ARSENAL. 

producing this magic effect, the ladies of Washing- 
ton took an active part. 

The Historical Society of Washington, has 
existed but a few years ; however, from the in- 
dustry and intelUgence of Secretary Peter Force, 
Esq., Mayor of the city, many valuable books, 
which illustrate the history of our country, have 
already been collected. 

ARSENAL. 

The Washington Arsenal occupies a tract of 
land of about a quarter of a mile square. The 
principal buildings are the arsenal or repository of 
arms ; the store in which the materials for manu- 
facture are kept ; the quarters of the officers and 
men ; three gun-sheds in which the gun-carriages 
when completed, are placed; a small magazine 
and laboratories, a model office, in which the 
models of guns, carriages, and small arms, &c. 
&c. are deposited, and the workshops, consisting' 
of a carriage-maker's shop, blacksmith's shop, 
armorer's shop, foundry, &:c. &c. 

The machinery is mostly on improved plans, 
consisting of a steam-engine of twelve horse 
power, attached to which is a trip-hammer, two 
screw-cutting machines, a drilling machine, two 
sawing machines (circular and upright) a cylinder 
bellows, and several newly constructed lathes, in 
addition to which, are several patent mortising 
machines of the most approved patterns. 

The business done at the post, is such as the 
construction of gun-carriages, caissons, implements, 



contributor's names. 133 

and equipments, and the preparation of all muni- 
tions of war. The average number of workmen 
employed, is about one hundred. The stores for 
the most part consist of about eight hundred iron 
cannon, principally of the large calibre, above 
thirty brass cannon, howitzers and mortars, tro- 
phies of the revolution, &;c., which number is 
increasing from time to time. About forty thou- 
sand stand of arms ; about one hundred field- 
carriages of wood, and a large number for forti- 
fications of cast-iron. Tlie post has just under- 
gone thorough repairs, and many improvements 
have lately been made. 

tBmongst those who by their ivealth, talents ^ or 
industry have contributed to the formation of 
our infant Metropolis, may he reckoned the 
folloiving; whose names are placed in alpha- 
betical order. 

B G 

Bradley, Pheneas and Abra- Greenleaf, James 
ham Gales, Joseph, jr. 

Brent, Robert, William and Green, Duff 

Daniel H 

Brown, Robert Hadfield, George 

Brown, Jesse Hoban, James 

C J 

Carroll, Daniel and Charles Jefferson, Thomas 
Caldwell, Timothy Jackson, Andrew 

Cranch, William L 

D Law, Thomas 

Duane, William Latrobe, Benjamin H. 

Leokie, Robert 
12 



134 



CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON CITY. 



M 

Madison, James 
Monroe, James 
M'Williams, Alexander 
M'CleUan, John 

N 
Noland, William 

O 
Orr, Grayson 

P 
Pearson, J. 

R 
Rush, Richard 
Rich, 



Scott, 

Sessford, John 
Seaton, W. W. 

T 
Thornton, William 

V 
Van Ness, John P. 
"Van Buren, Martin 

W 
Washington, George 
Weightman, Roger 



CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON CITY. 

The following account of the capture of the city 
of Washington, by the British, on the 24th of Au- 
gust, 1814, with the causes which led to this event, 
was published in 1816, by an anonymous writer, 
signed "Spectator." As this account contains many 
important facts, which we have not seen any where 
else so ably collected and arranged, it is given en- 
tire. It will, no doubt, be considered by the future 
historian as an important document ; for it bears 
evident marks of having been written by some one 
very well acquainted with the subject. 

" The capture of the city of Washington, and 
the destruction of its public buildings, which took 
place on the 24th of August, 1814, demand a very 
detailed account ; since in the hands of faction, they 
have been made the cause of much error and pre- 
judice. The sources from which our information 



CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON CITY. 135 

is drawn, are two — personal observation and public 
documents. 

On the 26th of June, official advices were re- 
ceived of the pacification which had taken place in 
Europe ; and on the 1st of July a cabinet council 
was held, the result of which shows, that the ad- 
ministration were sufficiently attentive to this new 
state of things, and to the increased power and 
probable designs of the enemy arising therefrom. 
" It seemed (says Mr. Monroe, in his statement to 
the committee of investigation,) to be his (the Pre- 
sident's) object, that some position should be taken 
between the Eastern Branch and Patuxent with 
two or three thousand men ; and that an additional 
force of ten or twelve thousand, (including the mi- 
litia of the District) should be held in readiness, in 
the neighbouring states, to march when called on ; 
the whole to be put under the command of an officer 
of the regular army. " To the regular force, (said 
Mr. Jones, late Secretary of the Navy) the Presi- 
dent proposed to add ten thousand militia, to be de- 
signated and held in readiness, in such neighbour- 
ing districts, as should be found to be most con- 
venient." The extent and character of these mea- 
sures, were occasionally determined by provisions 
of a similar nature, to be made for all other exposed 
parts of the Atlantic frontier ; and in this view of 
the subject, no one can reasonably quarrel with the 
degree of force destined to the defence of district 
No. 10, viz : one thousand regular troops, and ten 
or twelve thousand militia, with such volunteers, as 
the exigency would necessarily attract to the ser- 
vice. 



136 CAPTURE OP WASHINGTON CITY. 

In these two statements of Messieurs Monroe 
and Jones, we have the substance of the President's 
plan of defence, and the extent of measures deemed 
necessary thereto. Let us now see what were the 
measures taken to give execution to this plan. 

On the 2d of July, (the day following that of the 
sitting of the cabinet) the Secretary of War, by a 
general order, created the new military district No. 
10, (embracing the state of Maryland, the district 
of Columbia, and the northern section of the state 
of Virginia,) and the same day gave notice to 
Brigadier-general Winder, that the President had 
selected him for the command thereof. 

*' On the 4th of July, (says the committee of 
congress in their report of the 29th of November, 
1814,) a requisition was made on certain states for 
a corps of ninety-three thousand five hundred men, 
designating the quota of each, with a request to the 
state executives, to detach and hold in readiness for 
immediate service their respective detachments, 
and recommending also the expediency of fixing 
the places of rendezvous, with a due regard to 
points, the importance or exposure of which would 
most likely attract the views of the enemy. Of 
this requisition, two thousand effectives from the 
quota of Virginia ; five thousand from that of Penn- 
sylvania ; six thousand (the whole Maryland quota,) 
and two thousand the estimate number of the mili- 
tia of the district of Columbia, were put at the 
disposition of the commanding general, by letters 
from the Secretary of War, of the 12th and I7th of 
July, making the aggregate number of fifteen thou- 
sand militia, exclusive of the regular troops, viz : 



CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON CITT. 137 

thirty-sixth regiment, first battalion of the thirty- 
eighth, two troops of dragoons, two companies of 
the tenth regiment, one company of the twelfth, 
and two companies of the sea-fencibles, supposed 
to amount to one thousand, besides the artillerists, 
composing the garrisons of Fort M'Henry and 
Washington." 

Here then, is the most complete evidence, that 
by the 17th of July, five weeks before the attack 
upon Washington, full execution was given to the 
plan of the President by the War Department, so 
far as related to the quantum of force to be em- 
ployed, and that to secure the number actually con- 
templated, the Secretary of that department had 
transcended the letter of his authority, and had call- 
ed for three thousand more than was deemed neces- 
sary. Nor will it be objected to that department, 
that a camp of two or three thousand men had not 
been promptly formed at some point between the 
Eastern Branch and Patuxent, when we advert to 
the following considerations, viz : — 

1st. That the preliminary measures to be taken 
by the governors, of organizing the detachments, 
and appointing places of rendezvous, necessarily 
required time, and that between the 4th and 12th of 
July, (the day in which the quota of Maryland was 
subjected to General Winder's authority, for the 
purpose of forming a central camp,) but eight days 
intervened, a period certainly not unreasonably 
long, for their preparatory measures. 

2d. That the location of this central camp was 
committed to the commanding general, and that it 
was not till the 16th of July that he reported on 
12 * 



198 CAPTURE OP WASHINGTON CITY. 

that subject. In his letter of that date, he says, 
"I reached this place (Upper Marlborough) last 
evening, in my tour of examining the country. 
From what 1 have seen and learned, it appears to 
me, that there cannot be found a place of tolerable 
convenience, with reference to the objects of de- 
fence, for an encampment, except in this neighbour- 
hood." Nor was this opinion of much duration, 
for in his letter of the 23d of July, he says, " the 
governor of Maryland, has issued orders for call- 
ing out three thousand of the drafts, under the re- 
quisition of the 4th, and, at my suggestion, has ap- 
pointed Bladensburgh, as the place of rendezvous." 
3d. On the 12th of July, the whole quota of 
Maryland (six thousand) was put at the General's 
disposition, with orders to draw therefrom, imme- 
diately, a force not greater than three nor less than 
two thousand men, for the purpose of forming a 
central camp between Baltimore and Washington. 
And further (in the words of the committee " at all 
times the marines, flotilla-men, and regular troops, 
including the different garrisons, amounting to up- 
wards of one thousand men ; the militia of the 
district of Columbia to two thousand; — these were 
always in a disposable state, and acknowledged by 
General Winder, in his letter of the 23d July, to be 
almost as effectual as if in active service. The 
disposable force at Baltimore amounted to upwards 
of two thousand men.^' From these considera- 
tions, we think the ., .Iministration without blame, 
in this particular, and that if a central camp at Bla- 
densburgh, or elsewhere, of two or three thousand 
men was not formed, under the Secretary's letter 



CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON CITY. 139 

of the 12th of July, which put at the general's dis- 
position the whole quota of Maryland militia, in 
addition to regulars and marines, and Washington 
and Georgetown volunteers, we must look for the 
cause somewhere else than in the President or 
Secretary of War. Having shown what were the 
intentions of the national executive, and the mea- 
sures taken by it to give execution to these, we now 
proceed to state the manner in which this branch of 
the government was seconded by its own agents, 
and by the executives of the states on which it 
called for support. On the 15th of July, General 
Winder was advised, by a letter from the Secretary 
of War, that the van of Admiral Cochrane's fleet 
had arrived in Lynhaven bay ; and that two se- 
venty-fours and two frigates had passed Point 
Look-Out. On the 17th of July, he was further 
advised by the Secretary, that besides the whole 
quota of Maryland, (six thousand men) there was 
placed at his disposition, the militia of the district 
of Columbia, (two thousand) two thousand of the 
quota of Virginia, and five thousand of that of Penn- 
sylvania. These facts lead us to enquire in what 
manner the general availed himself of the informa- 
tion and authority given by these letters ? Did he 
immediately apply to the states of Pennsylvania 
and Virginia for their quotas ; or was he able so to 
quicken the movements of his aged relation, the 
governor of Maryland, as to get from him the sup- 
port of those national measures of defence with 
which he had been specially entrusted ? 

On the 16th of July, he states that the governor 
and council had taken the necessary steps to com- 



140 CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON CITY. 

ply immediately with the requisition of the general 
government. 

On the 20th of July, four days after he had thus 
announced that the governor and [council had ta- 
ken the necessary steps," &c. he says, " I have 
seized this moment to proceed to this place (Anna- 
polis) to arrange the calling the Maryland militia, 
demanded by the requisition of the 4th inst. This 
will be immediately attended to by the governor of 
this state." The eifect of this visit is seen in a 
subsequent letter of the General's, of the 23d of 
July. *' The Governor has issued orders for call- 
ing out three thousand of the drafts." On the 13th 
of August, twenty-one days after the Secretary of 
War had been thus informed, that the necessary 
steps had been taken'.by the governor and council, 
General Winder advises him, that of the drafts to 
form the camp at Bladensburgh, there would be 
nearly a total failure — " Instead," says he, *' of 
three thousand, they will scarcely exceed as many 
hundreds," and as an expedient the General sug- 
gests the taking '' the militia drawn out under the 
state authority, and now assembled at Annapolis, 
amounting to about one thousand men, as part of 
the requisition ;" and what may be worthy of no- 
tice is that this corps, taken immediately into ser- 
vice by the Secretary of War, did not reach Bla- 
densburgh, (its place of rendezvous) for eleven days 
after the date of this letter ; nor more than thirty 
minutes before the action began on the 24th of Au- 
gust. 

With regard to the General's efforts to get out 
the militia of Virginia and Pennsylvania, we regret 



CAPTURE OF WASHIXGTON CITY. 141 

that we have not more cause for praise, or rather 
less for censure. Though authorized to call for 
two thousand men from Virginia, he does not call 
for a man of this corps till the 19th of August — nor 
does he in his narrative, or elsewhere, assign any 
reason for this omission. This circumstance, im- 
portant as it is, has escaped the notice of the in- 
vestigating committee, who like General Winder, 
are perfectly silent on the subject. — Nor is what 
they say in relation to the call of the Pennsylvania 
quota, as clear or satisfactory as might have been 
expected. We shall repeat this, the better to make 
the public understand the iorce of our objection, 
and the conclusions against the General, which 
the facts undeniably furnish. " On the 17th of 
July," says the committee, " the Secretary of War, 
by letter authorized the commanding general to 
call on Pennsylvania for five thousand men ; on 
Virginia for two thousand, &;c., as before stated. 
This letter was not received by General Winder, 
until about the 8th of August, (as appears by his 
correspondence with the governor of Pennsylvania) 
after a lapse of about twenty-three days. In ex- 
plaining the reason of this delay. General Winder 
says, it originated from his being in constant mo- 
tion, and the letter had gone the circuit with him, 
without his having " received it." To say the 
least of this, the apology of the general and the 
admission by the committee are both extraordinary ; 
for in another part of the report, the committee, 
speaking of a letter of the 17th of July, of the Se- 
cretary of War, say, " Upon the receipt of this au- 
thority, General Winder proceeded direct to Annapo- 



142 CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON CITV. 

lis, and made the requisition upon the actual service 
of three thousand men ; and on the 23d of July, 
thirty-two days previous to the battle of Bladens- 
burgh, General Winder informed the Secretary of 
War, that arrangements for this force had been 
made." General Winder also, in his letter of the 
20th of July, dated at Annapolis, has these words : 
" Your letter of the 17th reached me on the 
18th." How then is this contradiction to be ex- 
plained? If the letter in question, of the Secretary, 
was received on the 18th of July, how comes it 
that the General tells the Governor of Pennsylva- 
nia that it was not received until about the 8th of 
August, and would assign this to the committee 
as the reason for not sooner calling for the quota 
of Pennsylvania ? Were there two letters of the 
17th from the Secretary, and did one of these find 
the general in less than twenty-four hours, and 
the other in no less than twenty-three days ? Why 
were not these two letters, if there were two, pub- 
lished by the committee ? Why should both be 
omitted ? and why should not General Winder 
have noticed this extraordinary delay, in the re- 
ceipt of this very important despatch, in any sub- 
sequent letter to the secretary himself? Is our 
difficulty on this head lessened by recurring to 
the statement, made by the committee, of General 
Winder's correspondence with Governor Snyder ? 
According to this. General Winder first wrote to 
Governor Snyder on the 6th of August, advising 
him that part of the quota of Pennsylvania was 
destined to serve under his command ; and this 
second letter was the 8tli of that month, stating 



CAPTURE OF WABHINGTOX CITV. 143 

that since his letter of the 0th, he had received a 
letter from the Secretary of War, of the 17th of 
July, advising that the Pennsylvania quota, five 
thousand, were put under his command, and wish- 
ing that as many of them as possible might be 
riflemen. In neither of these letters does he call 
any troops tf> his aid ; nor was it till the 17th of 
Aujrust, that he deemed it necessary even to re- 
quire one reffiment. On these facts we ask, how 
came General Winder to know on the 6lh of 
Auj^st and so to inform Governor Snyder, that 
any portion of the Pennsylvania quota was des- 
tined to serve under him, if the secretary's letter 
of the 17th of July, making this designation of the 
troops, was not received till the 8th ? or why, 
knowing this designation on the 6lh and 8th, and 
wishing to supply the deficiencies in the state of 
Maryland, and apprised of the arrival of the van 
of the enemy's fleet, as early as the loth of July, 
and neither calling nor expecting aid from Virgi- 
nia? why, we repeat, under all these circum- 
stances, delay to require the march of any portion 
of the Pennsylvania quota? and even as late as 
the 17th of August, arnid all the alarms of the 
moment, and demonstrations of the enemy, require 
only a single regiment? To us this conduct is 
inexplicable ; but on one of two conjectures, nei- 
ther of which is honourable to the general. Pre- 
ferring that however, which stigmatizes our species 
least, we charitably put the failure to the account, 
not of federalism or of faction, but to the incompe- 
tency of a head, puazled and embarrassed with a 



144 CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON CITY. 

mass of duties too various and complicated for its 
discharge. 

Having taken this view of the General's conduct 
in assembling the forces destined for his command, 
we proceed lastly to consider the use he made of 
those he actually had; and under this head, as 
honest chroniclers, we shall not omit noticing the 
merits or faults of others. 

We shall say nothing of the business or the 
bustle, the marches and counter-marches "from 
Eling to Aeton, and Aeton to Eling," which occu- 
pied the General and his troops from the 9th July 
to the 18th of August. 

On the latter of these days he received advice 
that the enemy's fleet had entered, and was ascend- 
ing the Patuxent in force; and on the 19th gave 
information that he had called for "the militia of 
the District of Columbia, for West's and Williams', 
and the Baltimore brigades, en masse, and for five 
hundred men each, from all the brigades on the 
Western-shore of Maryland, and the counties which 
border the Potomac on the Virginia side, and for 
General Hungerford's corps from the Northern 
Neck of Virginia." 

On this day the Secretary of War instructed him 
"to push his cavalry into the neighbourhood of the 
enemy, [if their movements indicated an attack on 
Washington,] for the purpose of driving off horses 
and cattle and removing all supplies of forage on 
their route." And on the 22d he advised the Gene- 
ral that the Baltimore brigade would be at Bladens- 
burgh that day, and suggested a demonstration by 



CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON CITY. 145 

Barney's corps and other troops, on the right of 
Nottingham, which should menace the enemy's 
rear and his communications with his shipping." 

The former of these orders was feebly attempted 
by the militia cavalry under the command of Colo- 
nel Tilghman, and Captain Caldwell; the latter 
was unfortunately not attempted at all. On this 
day (the 22d) the enemy held a position at, and 
near Nottingham, his force estimated by Colonel 
Beall at four thousand, and by Colonel Monroe 
at six thousand, but destitute of cavalry, and nearly 
so of field artillery. A light corps was now organ- 
ized, composed of the 36th and 38th regiments of 
the line, two troops of dragoons, and three compa- 
nies of the Columbia militia. This corps was or- 
dered to meet the enemy, while the main body 
took a position about one mile in advance of the 
Wood-yard, and on the route which the enemy 
was expected to move towards Washington. 

Our cavalry meeting the enemy — who had now 
put himself in motion — retired before him, and the 
advanced corps was ordered to fall back to the main 
body. Instead of pursuing the direct route to Wash- 
ington, the enemy marched to Upper Marlborough, 
upon which General Winder, fell back to the Bat- 
talion Oldfields. There the army was reviewed 
by the president and heads of departments, on the 
morning of the 23d, its force amounting to three 
thousand two hundred effectives, with seventeen 
pieces of artillery. A second order was now given 
to the light troops to advance and attack the enemy, 
probably under the suggestions of the secretary of 
war, that *' pushing our pickets frequently and 
13 



146 CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON CITY. 

freely upon those of the enemy, were the means 
best calculated for circumscribing his supplies, for 
gaining a knowledge of his strength — of which the 
accounts were various — and for preventing a stolen 
march, which was to be suspected." 

It is however among the unaccountable things of 
this disgraceful campaign, that at this critical mo- 
ment, when our first experiment was to be made 
upon the enemy, the commanding general should, 
under any pretence, choose to abstract himself from 
the army, and with so little explanation, either of 
his motives for so doing, or of the route he was to 
travel, as to authorize the report made by Colonel 
Monroe to General Stansbury, during the night 
of the 23d, that "he had been at the camp of Gene- 
ral Winder; that there was an alarming silence 
with regard to the general, who had gone out to 
reconnoitre the enemy, and had not been heard of; 
that it was feared he was taken ; and that General 
Smith had, by persuasion, taken the command." 

This extraordinary movement of the general, 
(which, by his own narrative, turns out to be a mere 
freak, to do, in propria persona, what any other 
general would have done by an aid-de-camp or an 
express, viz: the ordering of General Stansbury 
and Colonel Sterret to effect a junction with the 
main army) was fortunately without any ill effect. 
The expected battle which was to have been fought 
in his absence, did not take place. A few rounds 
of a rifle company at long shot, satisfied the order, 
and the light troops retired to the main body, which, 
without annoyance, stood in battle array till sun- 
set, when the general, who, having by this time 



CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON CITY. 147 

returned, thinking it mere chivalry to wait longer 
for the enemy's attack, and not meditating any of 
his own, decamped for Washington ; and, accord- 
ing to the report of the committee of congress, 
gained the Eastern Branch bridge, in the district 
of Columbia, by an extremely rapid *'and pre- 
cipitate march." 

The next morning brought advices that the 
enemy, who had quietly reposed himself three 
miles distant from the position from which we had 
thus hastily escaped, was now in full march for 
Bladensburgh. The contingency on which he was 
permitted or ordered to attack the capitol had 
arisen. Our demonstrations had been those not 
of capacity but of folly ; not of force, but of weak- 
ness ; — we had deserted and destroyed our own 
flotilla without fighting ; — we had permitted him 
to land and to march to Nottingham and Marlbo- 
rough without fighting; — we had left him undis- 
turbed at every point and at all times ; — we had 
now shamefully abandoned to him all the ap- 
proaches to the capitol by flighty and had left him 
nothing to fear, with regard to a communication 
with his fleet. He, therefore, could no longer hesi- 
tate : he accordingly raised his camp early on the 
24th, and by a forced march, without cavalry and 
without artillery, (excepting two small pieces and 
one howitzer, and these dragged by seamen) pre- 
sented himself by twelve o'clock on the heights of 
Bladensburgh. This place had been left to the 
defence of Gen. Stansbury, and part of Strieker's 
Baltimore brigades ; these corps had arrived there 
in succession, and much wearied by their march 



148 CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON CITY. 

on the 22d and 23d. On the night of the latter, 
Colonel Monroe reached this corps from Gene- 
ral Winder's camp at the Oldfields, and advised 
Stansbury to take the western route to Marlbo- 
rough and throw himself on the rear of the 
enemy !* 

Stansbury, however, kept his position, obeying 
the order he had received from General Winder, 
until hearing that the main army had retired to the 
Eastern Branch bridge, leaving his corps unco- 
vered, he retreated towards the city. Another and 
positive order carried him back to the neighbour- 
hood of Bladensburgh, where Winder, pushing 
forward Smith's brigade, (but leaving Barney's 
and Minor's corps — the one at the Navy-yard and 

• This fact, among others which are to be related, 
shows the improper interference of a civil officer, with 
the arrangements of the commanding general. Winder 
orders Stansbury to stand fast at Bladensburgh, [See 
page fifty-five of the documents] and to defend that 
avenue to the city. Monroe does all he can to make 
him throw it open, by advising a circuitous march and 
night attack of the enemy's rear, without concert with 
the commanding general, or even without knowing 
where the enemy was! — yet has this gentleman escaped 
public censure ! The truth is, that the moment for 
pursuing the policy suggested by Monroe had passed 
by. Stansbury and Barney should never have advanced 
beyond the neighborhood of Marlborough, and should 
have taken a position, as suggested by the secretary of 
war, in his letter of the 22d July, on the enemy's flank 
and rear. This measure alone, would, in all probability, 
have saved the city ; and, besides, was the only dispo- 
sition which would have saved Baltinaore, had that been 
the enemy's object. 



CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON CITY. 149 

the other at the capitol) arrived in time to fight a 
battle on dispositions, not made by himself but by 
Stansbury and Smith, and their assistants Colonel 
Monroe and Mr. F. S. Key. Of these disposi- 
tions we need say nothing, as the gentlemen to 
whom they have been principally imputed, were 
both ashamed of them ;* and the enemy despised 

* Stansbury, in his report, says, "whose plan this 
was, I know not, as it was not mine 5 — nor did it meet 
with my approbation." 

Colonel Sterret tells us, that "the first line formed on 
the battle ground, was changed under the direction of 
Colonel Monroe, who, on this occasion, observed to me : 
'Although you see that I am active, you will please to 
bear in mind, that this is not my plan.' If neither 
Stansbury 's plan, nor Monroe's, whose plan was it? 
The general, in his narrative says : "I left General 
Smith to make a disposition of his troops, and hastened 
to the bridge, where I found Colonel Beall, whom I 
directed to proceed agreeably to the instructions he had 
received. I then rode to the battery, and upon inquiry, 
I learned that General Stansbury was on a rising ground 
on the left of his line. I immediately rode thither, and 
found him and Colonel Monroe together. The latter 
gentleman informed me that he had been aiding General 
Stansbury to post his command, and wished me to pro- 
ceed to examine it." They were on the point of doing 
this when some one quizzed our commander with an 
account of a great victory gained by General Izzard ; a 
general,, who was, perhaps, alone remarkable for taking 
uncommon pains to avoid gaining victories. Some time 
was, of course, lost by this pantomime, when, resumes 
tlie general, " the head of the enemy's column ap- 
peared. Some pieces of artillery, and a company of 
riflemen were drawn from General Smith's command, 
to support our advanced artillery. They were posted 
13* 



150 CAPTURE OP WASHINGTON CITY. 

them too much to employ any manoeuvring 
against them. They even threw themselves for- 
ward in open order, advanced singly, passed the 
bridge and the creek, and gained both flanks of 
our advanced corps. The general now ordered 
this to be supported ; but his own words can 
best describe what followed : " Our advanced rifle- 
men," (Pinkney's corps) says the general, " now 
began to fire, and continued it for half a dozen of 
rounds, when I observed them to run back to an 
orchard. They halted there, and seemed for a 
moment about returning to their original position, 
but in a few minutes entirely broke, and retired to 
the left of Stansbury's line. The advanced artil- 
lery immediately followed the riflemen, and retired 
on the left of the fifth Baltimore regiment, which 
had been pushed forward to sustain them. 

*' The first three or four rockets fired by the 
enemy, being much above the heads of Stans- 
bury's line," they stood those very manfully ; but 
the rockets having taken a more horizontal direc- 
tion, a universal flight of the centre and left of 
Stansbury's brigade was the consequence. The 
fifth regiment and the artillery still remained, and 

hastily, and this was barely accomplished, when I was 
obliged to give orders to our artilleiy to open upon the 
enemy, who was descending the street towards the 
bridge ; — all further examination (of what Colonel Mon- 
roe and General Stansbury had done) and movement, 
was now impossible.*' From this detail, it is evident 
that Winder did not make the dispositions which Mon- 
roe and Stansbury disavow. The question again recurs, 
who did make those dispositions? 



CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON CITY. 151 

I hoped would prevent the enemy's approach ; but 
they, the enemy, advanced singly; their fire an- 
noyed the fifth considerably, when I ordered it 
to retire for the purpose of putting it out of the 
reach of the enemy. This order was, however, 
immediately countermanded, from an aversion to 
retire before the necessity became stronger, and 
from a hope that the enemy would issue in a 
body, and enable us to act upon him on terms of 
equality.* 

'*But his fire beginning to annoy this corps 
(the fifth regiment,) still more, by wounding 

• This narrative has no parallel in military writing. 
The g-eneral, according to this, first ordered the retreat 
to put the corps out of reach of the enemy ; which, no 
doubt, would have kept them out of harm's way : but 
he countermanded this order from an aversion to retire 
before it was necessary, and from a hope that the 
enemy, instead of advancing singly, and popping at him 
like cowards, would come out in a body, and fight him 
on equal terms ; that is, by showing as large a mark 
as he did. Well, to indulge the general in this particu- 
lar, they did at length so come out, and began to deploy 
on his left ; when, instead of accepting the equal terms 
for which he had panted, he again ordered a retreat, 
which became a flight of absokite and total disorder ! 
"Why, we may ask, did he permit them to approach him 
singly? Why, at least, not drive in their skirmishers? 
Why keep three or four hundred cavalry to look on? 
Why not charge this line of open order ? But, "the 
cavalry," says the general, "would do anything but 
charge!" [See the note to General Armstrong's report.] 
If Jackson had not behaved differently at New Orleans, 
even his Kentucky and Tennessee men would have 
been defeated. 



152 CAPTURE OP WASHINGTON CITY. 

several of them, and a strong column passing np 
the road and deploying on its left, I ordered them 
to retire : — their retreat became a flight of absolute 
and total disorder. '^ 

Beall's regiment was posted "on a height to 
the right of the road, which commanded the whole 
ground occupied by Stansbury's brigade." The 
story of this regiment is soon told. "It" says 
the general " gave one or two ineffectual fires and 
fled." This retreat completes the account of the 
fortunes and the fate of the front line, which could 
not be rallied ; and which displayed all its activity 
in making its way home. 

For the conduct of the second line, composed of 
Smith's brigade, the thirty-sixth regular regiment, 
one battalion of the thirty-eighth, a detachment of 
the twelfth, and Barney's corps of seamen and 
marines, and the whole of our cavalry, we must 
hear others — the general not having had these 
under his own particular notice or observation. 
We shall accordingly begin with Commodore Bar- 
ney's letter of the 29th of August, merely remark- 
ing, that this officer, notwithstanding the pressure 
in front, had been unaccountably forgotten at the 
Eastern Branch bridge, (though the direction of 
the enemy's march was now known to be by Bla- 
densburgh) and would have remained there much 
against his own opinions and wishes, if he had not 
accidentally met the president and secretary of 
war, who advised him to hasten his march to Bla- 
densburgh and join the army. " We came up," 
says the commodore, " at a trot. We took our posi- 
tion on the rising ground, between Smith's militia 



CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON CITY. 153 

and Beall's — posted our marines and seamen, and 
waited the approach of the enemy. During this 
period the engagement continued, the enemy ad- 
vancing and our army retreating, apparently in 
much disorder. At length the enemy made his 
appearance before us and halted. After a few 
minutes I ordered an eighteen-pounder to fire upon 
him, which completely cleared the road. A second 
and third attempt of the same kind were made to 
come forward, but all were destroyed. They then 
crossed over into an open field, and attempted to 
flank us. — There he was met by three twelve- 
pounders, the marines and seamen acting as infan- 
try, and was again totally cut up. By this time 
not a vestige of the American army remained, 
except a body of five or six hundred, on a height 
on my right, and from which 1 expected great sup- 
port. The enemy now pushed up their sharp- 
shooters and began to outflank us on the right. 
Our guns were that way, when he pushed up the 
hill towards the American corps, stationed as above 
described, who, to my great mortification, made no 
resistance, giving a fire or two, and retired. Find- 
ing the enemy now in my rear, and no means of 
defence, I ordered my officers and men to retire.'* 
General Smith says, " the dispersion of the 
front line caused a dangerous opening on our left, 
of which the enemy was availing himself, when I 
ordered Colonel Brent, with the second regiment, to 
take a position still more to our left, and he was 
preparing to execute this order, when orders came 
from General Winder for the whole of the troops 
to retreat." 



154 CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON CITY. 

Here ends the account of fighting. — What re- 
mains of the story, is but a vexatious repetition of 
orders to halt and form, and counter- orders to 
retire. When what was left of the army reached 
the capitol, the secretary of war suggested the 
occupation of that building, and believed " that the 
thirty-sixth and thirty-eighth, who had not fired a 
gun, with those of Barney's corps that could be 
collected, would be sufficient to maintain it, pro- 
vided that General Winder could assure them of 
such exterior support as would be necessary to a 
supply of bread, water, and ammunition. The 
general answered peremptorily, that he could not, 
and proposed to retire behind Georgetown." This 
opinion. Colonel Monroe warmly enforced by 
arguments which he has since employed in his 
report. The secretary of war then assented to 
the measure which appeared to have been pre- 
viously discussed and adopted by the general and 
the secretary of state, and perceiving that no 
order was given to apprise the Navy Department 
of the determination to cross Rock creek, and to 
prevent the capture of the Navy-yard, he despatch- 
ed Major Bell to announce the retreat of the army. 

The garrison of fort Washington was not more 
distinguished than their fellow-laborers, probably 
less so — the fort was destroyed and abandoned, 
though pressed by no enemy on either side. It is 
true that the covering corps, was, against all mili- 
tary rules, removed to the Virginia side of the 
Potomac by an order from the president and Ge- 
neral Winder. \^See General Young's Report,] 

It may be proper to add to this detail a state* 



i 



CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON CITY. 155 

ment of the force employed on this occasion on 
both sides. Our present lights with regard to the 
British army reduce it to below Doctor Catlet's 
estimate, which was thirty-five hundred and forty ; 
and the fact is well established, that the light bri- 
gade alone, not exceeding fifteen hundred men, 
defeated our army. 

The strength of our several corps was as fol- 
lows, viz : — I 

Dragoons. 
Dragoons of the United States, . 140 
Maryland Militia Dragoons, . . 260 
Columbia District, « . . 40 

Virginia, (a company of Col. Minor's.) 100 

540 

Regular Infantry and 3farines. — 

Thirty-sixth Regiment, one Battalion 
of thirty-eighth, one Company of 
twelfth, 500 

Seamen and Marines, . . . 600 

1100 

Militia. — Stansbury's Brigade, . 1.353 

Part of Strieker's, . . . .956 
Smith's Brigade and Cramer's Bat- 
talion, 1800 

Young's Brigade, .... 450 
Beall's Regiment, . . .800 
Minor's Regiment, .... 600 
Sundry detachments of Volunteers and 
Militia, 450 

6409 

Total, 8049 



156 CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON CITY. 

Twenty pieces of field-artillery of different cali- 
bres. 
Our loss in killed and wounded was, 

Killed, 10 

Wounded, 30 
Total, — 40 

British Forces. — The following Brigade Or- 
ders, &c., belonging to Captain Blanchard, of the 
royal engineers, were found near the exploded 
well at Greenleaf's Point. 

H» M. Ship TONNANT, ? 

D. 0. Jlug, 17, 1814. 5 

The troops will be brigaded as follows :-— 
1st brigade. Colonel Brooke, 44th regiment, 4th, 
or King's Own. 
44th regiment. 
2d brigade, Colonel Patterson, 21st regiment. 
21st Royal Scots, Fusileers. 
2d battalion Royal Marines. 
Detachment of Marines under Captain Robins. 
Light brigade, Colonel Thornton, 85th regiment, 
85th light infantry. 
4th, 21st, and 44th light infantry companies, 

Maj. Jones, 4th regiment. 
One company of Marine Skirmishers, under 

Lieutenant Stevens. 
Colonial Marines under Captain Read, 
The three-pounder under Captain Carmichail, 
Royal Artillery. 

The whole amounting to about three 
thousand five hundred. 



CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON CITY. 157 

Our deductions Jrom the whole of this exposi- 
iion are^ 

1st. That the force destined to this service was 
sufficient. 

2d. That the measures taken by the President 
and War Department were proper and sea- 
sonable. 

3d. That the failure to collect a larger force was 
owing to the remissness of the Command- 
ing General, and negligence or apathy of 
the Executive of Maryland. 

4th. That the force actually collected was suffi- 
cient to have beaten the enemy, but that it 
behaved badly,* and was wretchedly com- 
manded. 



♦ If farther proof of this fact be necessary we will refer 
to the following- extracts, made from the documents col- 
lected by the investig-ating' committee : — " Without all 
doubt," says Gen. Armstrong, '* the deteinnining cause 
of our disasters is to be found in that love of life, which, 
in many of the corps, predominated over a love of coun- 
try and of honour." 

••It," (the battle) says Mr. Rush, attorney-general of 
the United States, " commenced in a very few minutes, 
and in not many more, some of our troops began to 
break." 

•• The imposing front of the enemy," says Col. Ster- 
ret, *' was never disconcerted by the fire of the artillery 
or the riflemen, and the brigade of Gen. Stansbury was 
seen to fly as soon as the action became serious. No 
second line of reserve appeared to support us, and we 
were outflanked and defeated in as short a time as such 
an operation could well be performed." 
14 



158 CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON CITY* 

Destruction of Public Property. — The public 
buildings destroyed by the incursion of the British^ 
were : — the Capitol, President's house, the two 
buildings containing the public offices, and the 
fort at Greenleaf's Point; they also burnt Mr* 
Sewell's house on the Capitol Hill ; a hotel be- 
longing to Mr. Carrol, on do. ; General Washing- 
ton's house, on do. ; and Mr. Frost's, do. Several 
houses were plundered by the soldiers and negroes, 
amongst which were, Mr. A. M'Cormick's, Mr, 
D. Rapine's, Mr. W. Elliot's, and the types and 
presses of Messrs. Gales and Seaton, were chiefly 
destroyed by order of the commanders. The 
workshops in the Navy-yard, with a sloop-of-war, 
and public stores, fort Washington, and both 
bridges were partly destroyed by the American, 
and partly by the British troops. The British 
retreated silently to their ships on the evening of 
the 26th of August, leaving the chief part of their 
wounded behind. 

The following lines were found written with char- 
coal, on the four-mile-stone leading to Bladens- 
burgh ; and near the place where Commodore Bar- 
ney made so brave a resistance to the enemy. 

The hands point in the direction where the men fought 
or Jled. 

OT/" Here fought Commodore Barney, 
So nobly and so gallantly ; 
Against Britain's sons and slavery, 
For a fighting man was he. 

- J^ There did General Winder flee. 

His infantry and cavalry ; "* 

Disgracing the cause of liberty^ 
For a writing man was he L 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 



LAWS. 



159 



The following is a brief Abstract of the General Laws of 
the Corporation^ alphabetically arranged. 

A Board of Appeal is nominated by the Mayor, 
and by and with the consent of the Board of Alder- 
men, appointed annually on the first Monday in 
October, to consist of three freeholders, who shall 
meet in the City Hall on the second Monday in 
October annually, and there remain from day to 
day, not exceeding five days, and to receive a 
compensation of two dollars per day each. This 
Board has power to hear and decide on all appeals 
from the assessment of the assessors appointed 
annually, and of the assessors who are appointed 
every five years, to abate, increase, and alter or 
amend, any assessment previously made, so as to 
equalize the valuation of all assessable property 
within the city, and place it on a footing with 
other property of equal value. Of the meeting of 
this board, public notice is required to be given 
in the newspapers of the city. No assessor can 
be appointed a member of the Board of Appeal. 

General Assessment of Property. — Three as- 
sessors are appointed by the Mayor and Board of 
Aldermen every five years, on the second Monday 
in May, to make a general assessment of all pro- 
perty by law taxable in the city, and to be 
governed by what they believe the property is 
worth in cash at the time of the valuation : — are 
not to tax any new buildings until the first of 
January next, after they are finished or occupied* 



160 ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 

The assessors are required to take an oath for the 
impartial discharge of their duty: — may require 
from the owner a written Ust of property, and the 
owner subject to the penalty of ten dollars for 
refusing : — are allowed a compensation of two dol- 
lars per day, and are required to make return of 
their assessment to the register on or before the 
last Monday in September. 

Annual Assessment of Property. — The Mayor 
and Board of Aldermen appoint annually, except- 
ing at the periods when the quinquennial appoint- 
ment happens, three freeholders, whose duty it is 
to assess and value all real and personal property 
in the city, not before assessed and valued, to 
regulate any former assessment where property has 
since deteriorated or enhanced in value: — receive 
a compensation of forty dollars each : — are subject 
to a penalty of ten dollars each for every neglect 
of duty: — and to make the return of their assess- 
ment on the first Monday in October. It is made 
the duty of the commissioners, each in their respec- 
tive wards, to attend the assessors in the discharge 
of their duty. 

Auctions. — Every person selling by auction 
must take out a license ; for which he must pay 
one hundred dollars ; and give security in five 
thousand dollars for the faithful performance of his 
duties. Twenty-five dollars fine for every lot sold, 
is laid on those who refuse or neglect to take out 
a license. In ten days after the sale of any pro- 
perty by auction, an account must be rendered, de- 
ducting the following commission : — for every per- 
sonal property of every description, five per cent., 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 161 

excepting for dry goods in the original package, 
and in that case, two and a half per cent. Wet 
goods, groceries, and horses, two and a half per 
cent. Household goods and furniture, five per 
cent. On vacant lots and vessels, two per cent, on 
the first two hundred dollars ; one per cent, on the 
next thirteen hundred dollars ; and if the amount 
exceed fifteen hundred dollars, then one per cent. 
on the excess. If the articles offered for sale will 
not bring the price limited, then the auctioneer 
may charge one-fourth of his commission. If the 
auctioneer demand and receive more than is al- 
lowed by law, he is finable four times the amount 
of his just commission. No auctioneer can pur- 
chase in goods to sell again ; under the penalty of 
a hundred dollars. No auctioneer can sell to less 
amount of dry goods than three dollars — of wet 
goods, five dollars — or less than five gallons of 
spirits, under a penalty of five dollars for each 
offence. License, seventy dollars for each person 
who sells, if more than one. 

The corporation is entitled to receive the fol- 
lowing rates and duties on the amounts of all sales^ 
at auction, within its limits : upon all real estate, 
slaves, vessels, public securities, banks, and other 
incorporated stocks, one-fourth of one per cent, 
upon watches, jewelry, cutlery, perfumery, and 
stationery, five per cent. ; and upon all other 
goods, articles, or things whatever, whether raw 
or manufactured, one per cent. 

Bread. The wheaten bread is to be made of 
inspected flour ; and the size of the loaf is fixed 
according to the price of the flour, at the following 
14* 



162 ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 

rates : when the flour is from four dollars to four 
dollars and fifty cents per barrel, the single loaf 
must weigh twenty-seven ounces ; when at five 
dollars, twenty-four ounces ; at six dollars, twenty- 
two ounces ; at seven dollars, twenty ounces ; at 
eight dollars, eighteen ounces ; at nine dollars, 
sixteen ounces ; and at ten dollars, fifteen ounces ; 
and so in proportion as the value of flour increases, 
the size of the loaf diminishes. 

Bricks and Brick-kilns, — All the brick-kilns 
must be licensed by the Mayor, under a penalty 
of ten dollars for every week the owner continues 
to use it without a license. 

All bricks brought into the city, for sale within 
the city, must be made in moulds of the following 
dimensions : place bricks in moulds nine and a 
quarter inches long in the clear ; four and five- 
eighths inches broad, and two and a half inches 
deep ; stock bricks in moulds, nine and a quarter 
inches long ; four and five-eighths broad ; and two 
and five-eighths inches deep ; the moulds to be 
stamped by the sealer of weights and measures, 
under a penalty of twenty dollars for each ofl^ence. 

Billiard Tables. — Each table must pay a license 
of one hundred dollars, renewable on the first 
Monday in November, annually. Penalty for set- 
ting up or using them without a license, ten dollars 
per day. 

Bulls.— -Six bulls are purchased for the use of 
the city, and are under the charge of the commis- 
sioners. 

Carts, Wagons, and Drays must be licensed. 
Wagons must pay five dollars and fifty cents, and 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 163 

carts and drays two dollars and fifty cents ; and 
for every license issued to a non-resident of the 
city, to use a wagon for hire, eight dollars ; and 
for every cart or dray five dollars, annually — each 
vehicle to have a number, and W. C. on each. 

Coal Measurers are appointed by the Mayor 
with the consent of the Board of Aldermen, about 
the fourth Monday in June, annually ; who are 
required to see all the coal measured that is sold in 
the city, and to give certificates of the same ; 
which measure is to contain five pecks, for which 
they receive half a cent per bushel, to be paid 
equally by the seller and buyer. All anthracite 
coal sold in the city, shall be sold by weight, at the 
rate of two thousand two hundred and forty pounds 
per ton, and shall be weighed by one of the city 
coal-measurers, unless the buyer shall have ex- 
pressly agreed to dispense with such weighing, 
and the measurer shall receive as a compensation 
twenty-five cents per ton, payable by the seller. 

Collectors. — Three collectors are to be nomi- 
nated by the Mayor, on or about the 1st day of Ja- 
nuary annually, and by the consent of the Board of 
Aldermen appointed ; one for the First and Second 
wards, and one for the Third and Fourth wards, as 
collectors of taxes for the said wards, for which 
they are to receive a compensation of three and a 
half per cent, on collections ; and also one collector 
for the Fifth and Sixth wards, who is to receive a 
compensation of four and a half per cent, on collec- 
tions, and two dollars for distraining on personal 
property. Personal property must be advertised 
two weeks before the sale ; and real estate, if be- 



164 ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 

longing to persons residing out of the United 
States, six months ; to persons in the United 
States, and without the district of Cokimbia, three 
months ; and to persons residing within the dis- 
trict of Columbia, six weeks. Real property sold 
for taxes is redeemable within two years, or at any 
time prior to the payment by the purchaser of the 
purchase money, after paying the amount of taxes 
and expenses of sale, by paying ten per cent, per 
annum on the purchase money, or by depositing 
the money with the register, who shall give imme- 
diate notice to the purchaser that the money is 
paid. Minors, mortgagees, and others, having an 
equitable interest in real property, which shall 
have been sold for taxes, shall be allowed one year 
after such minors coming to, or being of full age, 
or after such mortgagees, or others, having equita- 
ble interests, obtaining possession of, or a decree 
for the sale of such property to redeem the pro- 
perty so sold, by paying ten per cent, per annum, 
and the taxes and costs, from the day of sale to 
the day of redemption. No real improved pro- 
perty can be sold, whereon there is personal pro- 
perty of sufficient value to pay the taxes due, 
unless at the written request of the owner of such 
real improved property. 

Commissioners are appointed, one for the First, 
Second, and one for the Third wards, by the 
Mayor, with the consent of the Board of Alder- 
men, on the fourth Monday of June, annually. 
The office of commissioners of the Fourth, Fifth, 
and Sixth wards is abolished ; and the duties of that 
office are, as far as practicable, now discharged by 



I 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 16& 

the police officers of those wards. Their duty is 
to superintend the execution of the laws of the 
council; the expenditure of all moneys appropri- 
ated for opening and repairing the streets, wharves, 
bridges, pumps, wells, &;c. It is their duty also 
to superintend the conduct of the constables, and 
report the same ; so that the latter may receive 
their pay. The pay of the commissioners is two 
hundred dollars each, per annum, payable out of 
the ward funds. 

Constables, Police. — Ten police constables are 
nominated by the Mayor, on or about the fourth 
Monday in June, annually, and with the consent 
of the Board of Aldermen, appointed two for the 
First ward, two for the Second ward, three for the 
Third ward, and one each, for the Fourth, Fifth, 
and Sixth wards ; upon the latter three of whom, 
devolves also the principal duties of the commis- 
sioners in their respective wards. 

The police constables are to enforce the laws 
of the corporation, and, if necessary in the exe- 
cution of their duty, can call to their assistance any 
citizen, who, on refusal without a proper excuse, 
is subject to a fine of two dollars. Their compen- 
sation is fifty dollars per annum, and the police 
constables of the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth wards, 
are paid fifty dollars per annum, additional, for dis- 
charging the duties of commissioner in their respec- 
tive wards. They are required to make monthly 
returns to the Mayor, under a penalty of ten dollars 
for every neglect. 

Debt of the City. —The debt of the city is now 
$799,823 73. 



166 ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 

The revenue arising from taxes assessed on real 
and personal property, in the year 1836, at the rate 
of seventy-five cents on every hundred dollars worth 
of property assessed, was - - $56,035 99 

Revenue arising from licenses, and 
other sources than taxes, for 1836, 
was 19,226 44 



$75,262 43 

Amount of interest pay- 
able in 1837, a portion of 
the debt bearing five per 
cent, only, - - $46,019 55 

Expenses of the Corpo- 
ration, - - - 13,318 00 

59,337 55 



$ 15,924 88 
Dogs. — A tax is levied on all male dogs of two 
dollars per annum, and five dollars on females ; 
renewable on the 1st day of January, of each year, 
under a penaUy of not less than five, nor more than 
ten dollars. Every dog must have a collar, with 
the name of the owner and city written or stamped 
on it. Any dog without license, and such collar, 
going at large, is liable to be killed: for doing 
which, and burying, the constable receives one 
dollar. 

Fences. — Party-fences between lots, &c., are to 
be made and kept in repair at the joint expense of 
the parties. 

Fire Companies and Engines. — A fire Com- 
pany is organized in each ward, with power to 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 167 

appoint their own officers. The president or vice- 
president has power to preserve order at the fires ; 
and to order any citizen who is able, to assist in 
bringing water, and to order disorderly persons off. 
The presiding officer of the company which arrives 
first at the fire, has the direction of the business. 
Every officer to have a trumpet, and a white staff 
at least five feet long. They are to take care of all 
property taken out of the houses in danger. A fine 
of five dollars is recoverable against any one resist- 
ing their authority. 

Every housekeeper is required to have as many 
buckets, with their name and numbers painted on 
them, as there are stories in the house, under a 
penalty of one dollar ; and it is the duty of the com- 
missioner or the officer discharging the duties of the 
commissioner in each ward, once in six months 
to enter every house, and see that the number 
required are kept and in good repair. Engines, 
ladders, <fec., are procured at the expense of each 
ward. 

Flour. — An inspector is appointed annually, on 
or about the fourth Monday in June, by the Mayor, 
with the consent of the Board of Aldermen ; whose 
duty is to inspect all flour offered for sale, and to 
make a return to the Mayor every three months. 
Each barrel of flour must contain one hundred and 
ninety-six pounds of flour. If there be one pound 
deficient, the seller shall be fined ten cents ; if two 
pounds, fifteen cents per pound ; and for every 
pound deficient above that, twenty-five cents. The 
barrels to be marked according to the quality. Six 
cents are allowed for storajre. No flour to be 



168 ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 

exported or sold without inspection, under a pe* 
nalty of ten dollars. The inspector receives a com- 
pensation of one hundred dollars per annum from 
the corporation, in addition to the fees allowed by 
law, Avhich are two cents per barrel for every bar- 
rel inspected, the flour drawn from the cask for 
inspection, the fines incurred for barrels of flour 
deficient in weight, and twenty -five cents per pound 
for any excess in the weight of the cask over and 
above the tare marked thereon. 

Footways. — No person is allowed to ride, or 
drive any carriage on the footways, except at the 
crossings of streets, &c., under a penalty of two 
dollars for each oflence. The fine to be recovered 
from parents and guardians in case of minors, and 
from masters for slaves. 

Gaming. — No kind of gaming, except billiards, 
(and the table licensed,) is allowed. Any tavern 
allowing of gaming for money, &;c., to lose their 
license, and pay a fine of fifty dollars per day. 

Geese. — No geese are allowed to be kept in this 
city, except in enclosures, south of Massachusetts 
avenue, and west of Eleventh street, east, under 
the penalty of having them seized and given to the 
trustees of the poor. And the police officers, or 
any other person, is authorized to take up the same^ 
and is entitled to twenty-five cents from the trustees 
of the poor for every goose so delivered to them. 

General Fund. — All moneys collected, except 
from taxes on real and personal property, are depo- 
sited in the Bank of Washington as a general fund: 
to be drawn out by the warrant of the Mayor, under 
the authority of appropriations only, for the general 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 169 

expenses of the city. This fund is derived from 
licenses, rent of market stalls and stands, taxes on 
dogs, and fees for the city seal, in the year 1836, 
amounted to the sum of $19,226 44. 

Grave-yards. — The squares No. 109, and No. 
1026, are appropriated for grave-yards for the inter- 
ment of all denominations of people. The ground 
was divided by the commissioners into sites for 
graves, and sold at the rate of two dollars each. 
Any person purchased from one to six contiguous, 
if thought proper, but no more. Those sites that 
remain unpurchased are now sold at three dollars 
per site. 

The compensation for digging graves is fixed 
by the commissioners : at present it is two dollars 
each. 

Gangers, — Three gangers are appointed by the 
Mayor, with the consent of the Board of Aldermen, 
whose duty it is to gauge all liquors sold in the city ; 
and to be paid by the seller, six and a quarter cents 
for each barrel, hogshead, or tierce gauged. 

Hackney Carriages. — All hackney carriages to 
pay a license of ten dollars per annum, if their 
owners shall have resided in this city six months 
previous to applying for such license, and be num- 
bered, renewable on the first Monday in Novem- 
ber. To persons residing within the limits of the 
corporation of Georgetown, and who shall have 
resided there six months previous to the date of 
such license, the license shall be charged at the 
rate of twenty dollars per annum ; and for a license 
other than to residents of Washington or George- 
town, the license shall be at the rate of fifty dollars 
15 



170 ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 

per annum. The number to be painted legibly on 
the carriage, under a penalty of ten dollars for each 
offence. 

All hacks while on the stand shall be at fifteen 
feet from the curb stone; the driver shall be on 
his box, or with the reins in his hand ; and he 
shall not crack his whip to the annoyance of others, 
under a penalty of two dollars to five. 

No one can run sleighs for hire without being 
first licensed to run carriages, or taking out a license 
for running a sleigh under the same regulations as 
hackney carriages. Non-residents, running hack- 
ney carriages in the city, to give bond, with suffi- 
cient surety, resident within the city, to be approved 
by the Mayor, conditioned for the payment of any, 
and all, fines and penalties which may be incurred 
by the driver for the breach of any of the laws of 
the corporation, relative to hackney carriages. No 
person can obtain a license for a carriage not his 
own, under a penalty of fifty dollars. 

That the following rates of fare or charge for the 
conveyance of persons, from one place to another 
in the city of Washington, in hackney carriages, 
between day-break and eight o'clock, P. M., shall 
not be exceeded : that is to say. 

From the Capitol square to the Eastern Branch 
bridge, thirty-one cents. 

From the same to the Navy-yard, twenty-five 
cents. 

From the same to the south end of New Jersey 
avenue, twenty-five cents. 

From the same to the south end of south Capi- 
tol street, twenty-five cents. 



ABSTRACT ON LAWS. 171 

From the same to Greenleaf s Point, twenty-five 
cents. 

From the same to the President's square, twenty- 
five cents. 

For any distance between the Capitol square, 
and any of the above mentioned places, not exceed- 
ing one half of the entire distance, twelve and one 
half cents, but any distance more than one half- 
shall be reckoned as the entire distance. 

From Greenleaf's Point to the Navy-Yard, 
twenty-five cents. 

From the Navy-yard to the Eastern Branch 
bridge, twenty-five cents. 

From the President's square to Greenleaf's 
Point, twenty-five cents. 

From the same to the Hamburgh wharf twenty- 
five cents. 

From the same to the western limits of the city, 
twenty-five cents. 

For any distance between Greenleafs Point and 
the Navy-yard, or between the Navy-yard and the 
Eastern Branch bridge ; or between the President's 
square, and Greenleafs Point, or the Hamburgh 
wharf, or the western limits of the city, not exceed- 
ing one-half of the entire distance, twelve and one- 
half cents ; but any distance more than one-half, 
shall be reckoned as the whole distance : Provided 
no charge shall be made exceeding twelve and one- 
half cents a mile ; for any distance exceeding two 
miles ; and in case of any detention of a hackney 
carriage beyond five minutes, the driver thereof 
shall be allowed for the whole hack a sum not 
exceeding twelve and one-half cents for every 
fifteen minutes, ^^d for the conveyance of per 



172 ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 

sons from any one place to another, in the city of 
Washington, not specified above, at the rate of 
twelve and a half cents a mile. And for all convey- 
ances or detentions, later than eight o'clock P. M., 
the owners or drivers of hackney carriages may 
demand and receive at the rate of fifty per centum 
on the foregoing charges in addition thereto : and 
in all the foregoing cases, the same charges shall 
be allowed for a part of a mile as for a whole mile. 

That if any owner or driver of a hackney car- 
riage shall refuse to carry a passenger or passen- 
gers at the foregoing rates, or demand or receive 
any greater sum for the conveyance of persons than 
the rates herein established ; or shall take up any 
passengers contrary to the provisions of the fol- 
lowing sections, he or they shall forfeit and pay 
the sum of five dollars for each and every ofience : 
Provided always, That nothing herein contained 
shall be construed to prevent any owner or driver 
of a hackney carriage from receiving any voluntary 
compensation for the conveyance of persons over 
and above the rates hereby established, but it shall 
nevertheless be the duty of the owner or driver 
aforesaid to inform the person offering such extra 
compensation of the rates herein fixed, otherwise 
the said owner or driver shall be deemed guilty of 
having demanded extra compensation. 

That whenever any owner or driver of a hack- 
ney carriage shall demand or receive any greater 
sum for the conveyance of persons, who shall not 
have resided twelve months within the city of Wash- 
ington, than is established by the rates of fare afore- 
said, or shall refuse to carry such person or per- 
sons at the said rates, he shall forfeit and pay dou- 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 173 

ble the penalty prescribed by the thirteenth section 
hereof, any thing contained in the said section to 
the contrary notwithstanding. 

15. That no driver of a hackney carriage, shall, 
when carrying any number of passengers more 
than two, or when the passengers in the hack, 
agree to pay for three seats therein, be allowed to 
take up any other passenger on the way, without 
the permission of the persons then in the hack. 

16. That it shall be the duty of the register upon 
his granting a license to the owner or owners of 
hackney carriages, employed in carrying persons 
for hire from one place to another, within the city 
of Washington, agreeably to the several acts, for 
that purpose made and provided, to furnish the 
person or persons, to whom he shall grant a license 
as aforesaid, an abstract of the several acts now in 
force, relative to the fare and penalties of the li- 
censed hackney carriages, which said abstract he 
shall attest and sign with his sign-manual. 

17. That it shall be the duty of the owner or 
owners of every hackney carriage licensed or to be 
licensed, to run within the city of Washington, be- 
fore the same shall be run as such, to cause to be 
put or pasted up permanently, on some convenient 
and conspicuous place, within the inner part of the 
carriage, the said abstract herein directed to be fur- 
nished to him ; and if any hackney carriage shall 
be found running as such, within the limits of this 
corporation, without the said abstract being pasted 
or placed as herein prescribed, the owner or owners 
thereof shall forfeit and pay the sum of ten dollars. 
That if any driver of a hackney carriage, when 

15* 



174 ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 

the same shall be unemployed and not in motion, 
shall disturb or annoy any person or persons by 
boisterous or riotous conduct, or by creating an un- 
necessary noise or tumult, the owner of such car- 
riagre, whose driver shall so offend, shall pay not 
less than two nor more than five dollars for each 
offence. The owners of private carriages, when 
owned by persons as are subject to the operation of 
the local laws of the city, are placed under the same 
regulations and subjected to the same penalties as 
the owTiers or drivers of hackney carriages, on all 
public occasions. 

18. That the register be authorized to have a suf- 
ficient number of the abstracts required by this act, 
printed and distributed gratis to the owners of hack- 
ney carriages, at the expense of this corporation. 

19. That all the fines and penalties, imposed by 
virtue of this act, shall be recovered as small debts 
are recoverable, in the name of " the mayor, alder- 
men, and common council of the city of Washing- 
ton," before a single migistrale, and applied as are 
other fines and penalties allowed by the corpora- 
tion. 

Hawkers and Pedlers. — All hawkers and ped- 
lers, hawking or cany-ing about from place to place, 
in the city, any goods, wares, or merchandise, ex- 
cepting such as are manufactured within the city 
of Washington, are required to take out a license 
therefor, and shall pay to the corporation, at the 
time of obtaining the same, the sum of fifty dollars, 
and any person hawking and peddling, as afore- 
said, without a license, is subject to the penalty 
of twenty dollars for each offence, exempting 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 175 

however, poultry, fish, meat, bread stuffs, butter, 
cheese, egsrs, vegetables, or perishable merchandise, 
as lemons, limes, and pineapples. The hcense must 
be exhibited when required by any citizen under a 
penalty of five dollars. 

Ho^s are not allowed to go at large south of 
Massachuseiis avenue, under the penalty of being 
seized and given to the clerk of the market of the 
ward in which the same may be seized, and sold 
at public auction — one half of the proceeds of sale 
to the person seizing, the other to the corporation. 

Health. — A Board o( Health, consisting of one 
citizen and one physician, tVom each wartl, is annu- 
ally appointed ; they have the power of tbrming 
such a code of regulations for the preservation or 
restoration of the health o{ the city, as mav not be 
incompatible M'ith. or repugnant to, the charter ; 
they also have the power of causing tlie removal, 
under a penalty of from one to five dollars, any 
nuisance that may exist in any cellar or domestic 
enclosure, after giving notice to tlie owner of the 
said cellar or domestic enclosure to remove the 
same ; the said board have the power also, when 
they have cause to suspect that a nuisance, danger- 
ous to the he;\lth of the city, exists in any house, 
cellar, or enclosure, to demand entry therein in tJie 
day-time ; and upon the ret'usal of the owner or 
occupier to open the same and admit a free exami- 
nation, a penalty of ten dollars is forfeited. 

Enclosures. — No one is allowed to enclose any 
street or avenue, so as to obstruct a free passage, 
under a penalty of twenty dollars, without leave 
from the Mayor. Any one having transgressed the 
law, and having been duly informed of tlie same. 



176 ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 

must remove the fence within ten days, under a 
penalty of five dollars for every day such enclosure 
remains unremoved. 

Judicial Expenses and Fees. — In case of any 
decision before a court or justice of the peace, the 
Mayor is authorized to receive any money reco- 
vered, or to pay any expenses incurred, excepting 
for the alleged violation of the laws, relative to the 
sealing of weights and measures. An attorney is 
appointed annually by the Mayor, (the Board of 
Aldermen concurring,) who receives one hundred 
dollars for attending to some specific duty. 

Lighting Streets^ Sfc. — The Mayor is author- 
ized to have the streets and avenues lighted, and 
to pay for the same. Poverty has extinguished 
the lights of the city, and the citizens are wont to 
cry, *' Give us of your oil, our lamps have gone 
out.'* 

Lumber. — Six inspectors are appointed by the 
Mayor, &;c., to inspect all lumber for sale, and to 
be allowed for the same, twenty cents per thousand 
feet; to be paid equally by the seller and purchaser. 
They have also the power to condemn unmerchant- 
able lumber, and are not to be dealers in the article. 

Lottery Offices and Brokers. — It is not lawful 
for any person to barter or sell, or in any manner 
to dispose, any lottery-tickets within the limits of 
the city, without a license therefor; and for which, 
the sum of three hundred dollars shall be paid. 
Nor shall any person exercise or deal in the busi- 
ness of a pawnbroker, without first obtaining a 
license therefor ; for which license, the sum of two 
hundred dollars shall be paid. 

Lunatics, — The Mayor is authorized to provide 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 177 

security and maintenance for lunatics, provided it 
shall not exceed two dollars a week, and to charge 
the expense to the corporation ; giving a statement 
of the same to the council. 

A Hospital for Lunatics is much wanted in 
this city, there being no other place of confinement 
than the common jail; but through the liberality of 
congress, we have reason to believe that an adequate 
provision will soon be made for such an asylum ; 
and citizens will be relieved of the horror of com- 
mitting the insane and wretched to the miserable 
dungeons of our county jail. 

Markets are established and held in the follow- 
ing manner : — At the Centre Market, on Tuesdays, 
Thursdays, and Saturdays. At the West Market, 
on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. At the 
Eastern Branch Market, Mondays, Wednesdays, 
and Fridays. At the Capitol Hill Market, Mon- 
days, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The following 
hours to be observed: from the 1st day of May 
till the 1st of October, from four in the morning 
till nine; and from the 1st of October till the 1st 
of May, from five to ten. 

All provisions must be sold in markets during 
the market hours, under a penalty of two dollars, 
for both seller and buyer, except fish, between the 
1st of March and the 1st of November. 

No person can purchase any article of provision 
and sell the same in the same market, under the 
penalty of six dollars. 

No unsound or tainted meat, &c., to be sold 
under a penalty of five dollars. 

All articles to be sold by weight or measure, and 



178 ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 

if found deficient, to be forfeited for the use of the 
poor. 

The stalls to be rented to butchers and others. 
And any butcher or other person occupying a stall 
without having rented it, shall pay a fine of ten 
dollars. No one shall occupy more than one bench 
or block, four feet six inches in length, and four 
feet in width. 

No person, except butchers, who have rented a 
stall, can sell less than one quarter of an animal, 
under the penalty of forfeiting the meat for the use 
of the poor. 

A clerk for each market is appointed by the 
Mayor, &c., whose duty it is to see the laws 
enforced, and to have the market cleaned out, for 
which services he is to receive seventy-five cents 
for every market he attends. An assistant clerk is 
also appointed for the Centre Market, who receives 
fifty cents compensation for every market he at- 
tends. N. B. There is a market held also on Satur- 
day evenings at the several market-houses. 

The Mayor receives one thousand dollars per 
annum, and one dollar for every acknowledgment 
of a deed, &c. 

An Act concerning free Negroes, Mulattoes, 
and Slaves. 

Be it enacted by the hoard of aldermen and 
board of common council of the city of Washing' 
ton. That within thirty days after the first day of 
October next, it shall be the duty of all free black 
or mulatto persons, males, of the age of sixteen, 
and females of the age of fourteen years, and up- 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 179 

wards, who may then reside in th^ city of Wash- 
ington, to exhibit satisfactory evidence of their title 
to freedom, to the register of this corporation, to- 
gether with a list of the names, ages, and sex, of all 
other persons of colour under these ages, whether 
his, or her own children or otherwise inhabiting 
his or her house, who may not have performed this 
duty under existing laws ; and for omitting to per- 
form any, or all the duties herein prescribed, the 
persons so omitting shall forfeit and pay a sum of 
money not exceeding six dollars for each and every 
month, he or she may continue to omit or neglect. 

Sec. 2. And he it enacted, That the register of 
this corporation shall keep a record of all such free 
black and mulatto persons, and of their ages, sex, 
names and residence, and shall furnish a written 
permit, under the seal of the corporation, free of 
expense, to each head of family, embracing all un- 
der his or her care, or to each individual, as the 
case may be, authorizing them to reside in the city 
of Washington under the conditions hereinafter pre- 
scribed. 

Sec. 3. *^nd be it enacted, That all idle, disor- 
derly, or tumultuous assemblages of negroes, so as 
to disturb the peace or repose of the citizens, are 
hereby prohibited, and any free negro or mulatto, 
found offending against the provisions of this sec- 
tion may, on conviction thereof before a justice of 
the peace, be recognised with one or more sureties, 
in the penal sum of twenty dollars, conditioned for 
his or her peaceable and orderly behaviour for any 
period of time, not exceeding six months from the 
date of such recognisance. 



180 ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 

Sec. 4. And be it enacted^ That if any free 
black or mulatto person, shall be found playing at 
cards, dice, or any other game of an immoral ten- 
dency, or shall be present as one of the company 
■where such game is playing, on conviction thereof, 
before a justice of the peace, shall forfeit and pay a 
fine not exceeding ten dollars. 

Sec. 5. And he it enacted^ That all free black 
or mulatto persons are prohibited from having a 
dance, ball, or assembly, at his, her, or their house, 
without first having obtained a license or permit for 
that purpose, from the mayor, in which shall be 
mentioned the place, time of meeting, number of 
guests, hour of breaking up, and the name of the 
person applying for such permit : and any free 
black or mulatto person offending against the pro- 
visions of this section, or suffering such disorder 
during said period, as to disturb the peace of the 
neighbourhood, on conviction thereof before a jus- 
tice of the peace, shall forfeit and pay, for each 
and every offence, a sum not exceeding ten dollars. 

Sec. 6. And be it enacted^ 'I'hat no free black 
or niulatto person shall be allowed to go at large 
through the city of Washington, at a later hour 
than ten o'clock at night, excepting such free black 
or mulatto person have a pass from some justice of 
the peace, or respectable citizen, or be engaged in 
driving a cart, wagon or other carriage ; and any 
free person of colour found offending against the 
provisions of this section shall, on conviction there- 
of before a justice of the peace, forfeit and pay 
a sum not exceeding ten dollars ; and all such 
offenders may be confined in a lock-up-house until 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 181 

the following morning : provided however, that 
nothing herein contained shall be made to apply to 
any person of colour passing peaceably through 
the streets to or from any meeting-house or place 
of worship ; nor to any person of colour sent on 
an errand by the owner or employer of said per- 
son. 

Sec. 7. And he it enacted, That all free black 
or mulatto persons who shall be found drunk in the 
public streets, open grounds or tippling-houses, or 
guilty of obscene and profane language or be- 
haviour, on conviction thereof before a justice 
of the peace, shall forfeit and pay a sum not ex- 
ceeding three dollars, for each and every offence. 

Sec. 8. And be it enacted, That any free black 
or mulatto person, who may be fined under any of 
the provisions of this act, on refusing or neglecting 
to pay, or secure to be paid such fine, shall be 
committed to the work-house until such fine be paid 
for any period of time not exceeding six months ; 
and on refusing or neglecting to give the security 
for good behaviour, required by any of the pro- 
visions of this act, shall be committed to the work- 
house until such security be given, not exceeding 
six months for any one offence, and the duties and 
obligations which, by this act, are imposed on free 
persons of colour, are hereby made to apply to 
slaves ; so far as they may be consistent with their 
condition as such : And any slave found offending 
against any of the provisions of this act, on con- 
viction thereof before a justice of the peace, may 
be sentenced to receive any number of stripes on 
his or her bare back, not exceeding thirty-nine ; but 
16 



182 ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 

it shall be optional with such slave to have the 
punishment of whipping commuted for the pay- 
ment of the fine which would be imposed in such 
cases on free persons of colour. 

Sec. 9. And be it enacted^ That every free ne- 
gro or mulatto, whether male or female, who may 
come to the city of Washington \^See Act, 9 Nov. 
1836.] shall, within thirty days thereafter, exhibit 
to the mayor satisfactory evidence of his or her title 
to freedom, to be recorded by the register as direct- 
ed by the second section of this act, and shall enter 
into bond to the Mayor, Board of Aldermen and 
board of Common Council of the city of Washing- 
ton, with two freehold sureties, in the penalty of 
five hundred dollars, (now one thousand dollars) 
conditioned for his or her (and every member of 
his or her existing family,) good and orderly con- 
duct ; and that they, or either of them, do not 
become chargeable to this corporation for the space 
of twelve months from the date of such bond, to be 
renewed every year for ever: \^See Act, 29 Oct. 
1836.] and, on failure to comply with each and 
every provision of this section, he, she, or they, so 
failing, shall be ordered by the mayor, forthwith, to 
depart the city, or be committed to the work-house, 
until such conditions are complied with, not ex- 
ceeding twelve months in any one commitment ; 
And any free person or persons of colour, who 
may be imprisoned under the provisions of this act, 
may, by order of the mayor, be discharged from his 
or her imprisonment, upon his or her being able to 
satisfy the mayor, that he or she will, with his or 
her family, and dependents, forthwith depart the 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 183 

city. But if he or she shall fail to depart the city, 
within a reasonable time, to be fixed by the mayor ; 
or departing, shall return to, and be found within 
the same, at any time within twelve months there- 
after, he or she shall be again committed, as if no 
such discharge had taken place : Provided, that 
nothing in this section shall be so construed as to 
release the child or children of such person or per- 
sons of colour, who may have been bound out to 
servitude by the guardians of the poor, until the 
expiration of their term of service. 

Sec. 10. And be it enacted, That every negro 
and mulatto found residing in the city of Washing- 
ton, after the passage of this act, who shall not be 
able to establish his or her title to freedom, (except 
such as may be hired to a resident of this city, and 
on whom the tax shall have been paid agreeably 
to the provisions of the act relating to slaves of 
non-residents, approved the 5th of April, 1823,) 
shall be committed to the jail of the county of 
Washington, as absconding slaves. 

Sec. 11. »dnd be it enacted. That it shall not 
be lawful for any resident of this city to employ, 
harbour, or conceal, any free black or mulatto 
person who cannot produce a permit from the 
register authorizing him or her to reside in the 
city of Washington, and on conviction thereof 
before a justice of the peace, shall forfeit and pay, 
for each, and every offence, a sum not exceeding 
five dollars : Provided, that nothing in this act 
contained shall be so construed as to apply to, or 
effect the condition of any negro or mulatto who 
may be attached to, or in the service of, any tran- 



184 ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 

sient person, or member of congress, while in such 
employment, or who may have been sent to the 
city on business by their employer. 

Sec. 12. And he it enacted, That the police 
constables, each in his respective ward, are hereby 
charged with the execution of this act, and on 
conviction of failure on the part of any police con- 
stable to carry into execution the provisions of this 
act, when required so to do, or informed of any 
violation of it, unless prevented by sickness, or 
absence from the city, he shall forfeit and pay for 
each, and every such neglect or failure, a sum not 
exceeding twenty dollars ; and all fines and penal- 
ties incurred under this act, shall be recovered and 
applied as by law directed. 

An Act supplementary to an Act, entitled " An 
act concerning free Negroes, Mulattoes and 
Slaves," approved May thirty-first, eighteen 
hundred and twenty-seven. 
Be it enacted by the Board of Aldermen and 
Board of Common Council of the city of Wash- 
ington, That, from and after the passage of this 
act, every free negro or mulatto, whether male or 
female,* and every coloured person who may be 
manumitted, or be made or declared to be free in 
any other manner or form whatsoever, shall forth- 
with exhibit to the mayor satisfactory evidence of 

*ThIs amendment, and the one in ninth section of 
act of May, 1827, were made by a short act of 9th Nov. 
1836, which, as there were no other provisions, it is not 
required to be printed here. 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS, 185 

his or her title to freedom, to be recorded by the 
register, as directed by the second section of the 
act entitled, " An act concerning free negroes, 
mulattoes and slaves," approved May 31st, 1827, 
and shall enter into bond to the Mayor, Board of 
Aldermen, and Board of Common Council of the 
city of Washington, with five good and sufficient 
freehold sureties, in the penalty of one thousand 
dollars, conditioned for his or her good and orderly 
conduct ; and that of every member of his or her 
existing family; and that they, or either of them, 
do not become chargeable to this corporation; 
which bond shall be renewed every year ; and on 
failure to comply with each and every provision of 
this section, he, she, or they so failing, shall for- 
feit and pay a sum not exceeding twenty dollars, 
and shall be ordered by the Mayor to depart forth- 
with from this city ; and on failure to do so, shall 
be committed to the work-house until such condi- 
tions shall be complied with, not exceeding six 
months in any one commitment. 

Sec. 2. And he it enacted. That any free per- 
son or persons of colour who may be imprisoned 
under the provisions of this act, may be discharged 
from such imprisonment by order of the mayor, 
upon his or her being able to satisfy the mayor 
that he or she will, with his or her family and 
dependents, forthwith depart from the city ; but, 
if he or she shall fail to depart therefrom, or 
departing, shall return to, and be found within the 
same, at any time within twelve months thereafter, 
he or she shall be again committed, as if no such 
16* 



186 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 



discharge had taken place : Provided, That nothing 
in this section shall be so construed as to release 
the child or children of such person or persons of 
colour who may have been bound out to servitude 
by the guardians of the poor, until the expiration 
of their term of service. 

Sec. 3. And be it enacted. That from and after 
the passage of this act, it shall not be lawful for the 
mayor to grant a license for any purpose whatso- 
ever to any free negro or mulatto, or to any person 
or persons acting as agent or agents, or in behalf 
of any free negro or mulatto, except licenses to 
drive carts, drays, hackney carriages, or wagons ; 
nor shall it be lawful for the mayor to grant a 
license for any purpose whatsoever, to any free 
negro or mulatto who shall not, before the passage 
of this act, be a resident of this city, and be regis- 
tered as such on the books of the corporation, in 
compliance with the provisions of the act entitled, 
" An act concerning free negroes, mulattoes, and 
slaves," approved May 31st, 1827 : nor to any 
person or persons acting as agent or agents, or in 
behalf of any such free negro or mulatto, and any 
license granted contrary to the provisions of the 
third and fourth sections of this act shall be null 
and void. 

Sec. 4. Jlnd be it enacted, That it shall not be 
lawful for any free negro or mulatto, or for any 
person or persons acting as agent or agents, or in 
behalf of any free negro or mulatto, to sell or barter 
any spirituous liquors, mixed or unmixed, nor any 
wine, cordial, porter, ale, strong beer, cider, or 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 187 

any fermented liquors, within the limits of this 
city ; nor shall any free negro or mulatto, nor any 
person acting under, or for, and in behalf of any 
free negro or mulatto, keep any tavern, ordinary, 
shop, porter-cellar, refectory, or eating-house of 
any kind, for profit or gain ; and any free negro 
or mulatto, or any person or persons acting under, 
or for, and in behalf of, any free negro or mulatto, 
who shall violate any of the provisions of this sec- 
tion, shall forfeit and pay for each, and every 
offence, the sum of twenty dollars, to be recovered 
and applied in the manner prescribed by an exist- 
ing ordinance of this corporation. 

Sec. 5. And be it enacted. That all secret or 
private meetings or assemblages whatsoever, and 
all meetings for religious worship, beyond the hour 
of ten o'clock at night, of free negroes, mulattoes, 
or slaves, shall be, and they are hereby declared 
to be unlawful ; and any coloured person or per- 
sons found at such unlawful assemblages or meet- 
ings, or who may continue at any religious meet- 
ing after ten o'clock at night, shall for each, and 
every offence, on conviction, pay the sum of five 
dollars, to be recovered and applied as prescribed 
by act of this corporation ; and in the event of any 
such meeting or assemblage as aforesaid, it shall 
be the duty of any police constable of any ward to 
enter into the house, or upon the premises where 
such unlawful assemblage may be held, and use 
and employ all lawful and necessary means imme- 
diately, to disperse the same ; and in case any 
police constable, after full notice and knowledge 



188 ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 

of such meetings, shall neglect or refuse to execute 
the duty hereby enjoined and required as aforesaid, 
or any other duty required of him by this act, he 
shall, upon conviction thereof, forfeit and pay the 
sum of fifty dollars, and shall thereafter be incapa* 
ble of holding any office of power or trust under 
this Corporation for one year thereafter. 

Sec. 6. *S.nd he it enacted, That the eighth sec- 
tion of the act to which this is a supplement shall 
be in full force as part of this act, and that the pro- 
viso to the sixth section of the act to which this is 
a supplement, and the ninth section of said act, so 
far as it conflicts with the provisions of this act, 
be, and the same are hereby repealed. 

Approved, October 29th, 1836. 

Note. — This and the law of 1st May, 1827, as they 
now stand are all the laws relative to free negroes and 
mulattoes residing in the city. 

Nuisances. — The superintendence of the police 
is vested in the commissioners. Any person mak- 
ing excavations in the streets or public appropria- 
tions, and suffering them to remain open twenty- 
four hours, to be fined five dollars ; and if, after 
having received written notice thereof from the 
commissioner, and still neglect to fill the same 
within ten days, to be fined ten dollars. Every 
possessor of vacant lots, in which any excavation 
has been made, is required lo have the same filled 
up ; and upon refusal to fill up, drain or enclose the 
excavations — drain the stagnant waters or enclose 
the areas — shall pay a fine of ten dollars, exclusive 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 



189 



of the expense incurred in filling up, draining or 
enclosing the same. 

Any person leaving or causing any nuisance or 
obstruction, to be fined one dollar ; and if not re- 
moved within twenty-four hours after receiving due 
notice in writing from a commissioner, to be fined 
ten dollars. Any one leaving the ofi"als of fish 
without burying them, more than twenty-four hours, 
to be fined ten dollars. 

The owner of any cow, horse, &c., on dying on 
the streets, &;c., must bury the same within twelve 
hours after being duly notified, under a penalty of 
not less than five nor more than twenty dollars. 

Any one making an excavation under a privy, 
to be fined ten dollars, and the excavation to be 
filled up at the expense of the owner. Any one 
obstructing a bridge, to be fined one dollar. 

In all cases of nuisances or obstructions, whose 
removal is not otherwise provided for, shall be 
removed by the commissioner at the expense of 
the person off'ending, if not exceeding the penalty 
incurred. Also, when any member of the Board 
of Health shall give notice of any nuisance in the 
warm weather, it must be removed within twenty- 
four hours, under a penalty of five dollars, to be 
paid by the person offending. 

Poor, Infirm, and Diseased persons. — Six 
guardians of the poor are appointed annually by 
the mayor, &;c. They are required to meet at 
least once in every week ; a majority to form a 
quorum for doing business : and are empowered to 
draw on the mayor for money to discharge the 
necessary expenses which their duties require. 



190 ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 

They are to receive fifty dollars per annum, pro- 
vided it shall not exceed one dollar per day, for 
every day they attend. They are also authorized 
to employ a clerk at one hundred dollars per annum. 
Their duty is to attend to the wants of the poor 
and distressed, and to provide for the interment of 
those who have not left the means. 

The guardians have the power to provide tools, 
and to prescribe rules for the regulation of the 
poor. 

Porter, &rc. — All retailers of porter, ale, and 
cider, are required to take out a license, for which 
they pay twenty dollars per annum and enter into 
bond with two sureties in the sum of one hundred 
dollars. Conditioned that they keep a quiet, orderly 
house, &c. 

Confectioners are required to pay a license of 
ten dollars, and give bond conditioned as above. 

Pumps, Wells, Springs, and Hydrants. — On 
application of two-thirds, or such number of inhabit- 
ants of a neighbourhood as the mayor thinks proper, 
he can order the sinking of a well, erection of a 
pump, and whatever he thinks proper as respects 
the mode of supplying water for the neighbourhood. 
One-half of the expense to be assessed and paid by 
those owning property in the vicinity, and are im- 
mediately benefited by the same. No fish are 
permitted to be cleaned, horses watered, or to fill 
and leave casks at any of the public springs, pumps, 
wells, or hydrants in this city, whereby the water 
may be rendered impure, under a penalty of five 
dollars for every offence. 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 191 

Racing. — Any person running a horse in any of 
the streets or avenues, within three hundred yards 
of any dwelling house, to be fined ten dollars. 
Parents and masters to be subject to the fine for 
minors or apprentices under their charge ; if slaves 
are found offending, to be publicly whipped. 

Register^ to be appointed annually by tiie mayor, 
&c., whose duty it is to perform all such acts as 
may be required by the laws and resolutions of the 
corporation as his duties ; for which he is to receive 
sixteen hundred dollars per annum, and to give a 
bond, with two sureties of five thousand dollars, 
for the faithful performance of his duties. One 
dollar is to be paid for affixing the seal of the cor- 
poration to any instrument, and twelve and a half 
cents for every one hundred and five words, except 
the same be for the corporation, to be paid into the 
treasury. 

It is also made his duty to audit and settle all 
the accounts of the corporation ; and, in the absence 
of the mayor, to grant licenses, &c. ; and to keep 
a just and true account of all the money transac- 
tions of the corporation. 

Retailers. — All retailers of wines and spirituous 
liquors, in quantities not less than a pint, to pay 
ten dollars ; those retailing in less quantities than 
a pint, to pay sixty dollars for a license, and give 
bond with two sureties, of one hundred dollars 
each, to conform to the laws on this subject; the 
register to receive one dolbr for the city seal for 
the use of the corporation ; no kind of gaming is 
allowed in houses licensed to sell by retail. 



192 ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 

Begister of Births and Marriages. — It is made 
the duty of the head of every family to report to 
the commissioner of the ward in which he or she 
resides, within six days, all the births and deaths 
that occur in the house over which they preside, 
with their sex and colour ; and, in case of death, 
their age and the disease of which they died, under 
a penalty of five dollars. And the commissioner 
is to report the same, within six days, to the health 
officer of the city. 

It is also made the duty of every clergyman, or 
person authorized to unite persons in marriage, to 
keep a regular account of all the names and resi- 
dences of those whom he marries, and to furnish a 
correct copy to the city register within three 
months, under a penalty of twenty dollars. 

Schools. — Two pubhc schools are to be sup- 
ported, one in the eastern and the other in the 
western sections of the city ; for which object, one 
thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars per annum 
is appropriated ; and the school of each section to 
be under the direction of a board of trustees, chosen 
annually, and such officers as they shall appoint. 

Shootitig. — Any person who shall fire a gun or 
pistol, idly, or for sport, within two hundred and 
fifty yards of a dwelling house in that part of the 
city contained in north M. street, Massachusetts 
avenue. Seventh street, east, Pennsylvania avenue, 
the Eastern Branch, Sixth street, west, Virginia ave- 
nue and Rock creek, or in any part of the city, on 
the Sabbath, shall be fined in a sum not exceeding 
ten, nor less than five dollars. This regulation 
does not extend to shooting water fowls on the 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 193 

Potomac, Eastern Branch, or Rock creek. Pa- 
rents and masters to be answerable for those under 
their charge. 

Slaves. — The owners of slaves not living in the 
city, must pay the following tax : — For all male 
slaves between twelve and eighteen years of age, 
five dollars per annum; for all over eighteen, 
twenty dollars ; and for all female slaves over fifteen 
years of age, two dollars, under a penalty of twenty- 
dollars for each neglect. No slave of a non-resi- 
dent can reside in the city unless hired by the 
owner to inhabitants of the city. 

Any slave found offending shall be committed to 
the work-house, there to remain until released by 
the owner; and the constable taking up such slave 
shall receive from the owner thereof, when released, 
the sum of ten dollars, as a compensation for his 
services. 

No slave of any resident shall be permitted to 
keep house in the city, unless the owner thereof 
shall have previously entered into bond with good 
and sufficient surety in the sum of five hundred 
dollars, conditioned for the orderly, sober, and 
decent conduct of such slave. And for every week 
such slave shall keep house without entering into 
bond as aforesaid, the owner shall incur a penalty 
of twenty dollars. 

Every person bringing or sending slaves to the 
city to hire or reside therein, must, within twenty 
days thereafter, cause the said slaves to be recorded 
on the books of the corporation, and must deposit 
with the register an affidavit that such slaves are, 
bona fide, his or her property. Every person fail- 
17 



194 ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 

ing so to do, incurs a penalty of twenty dollars for 
each slave. 

Slaughter-houses are to be all licensed by the 
mayor, who shall prescribe regulations for their 
management. But any person feeling themselves 
aggrieved may appeal to the mayor for redress. 

Small Pox. — No one shall introduce the small- 
pox into the city, under a penalty of one hundred 
dollars. Every person in whose house the small 
pox accidentally occurs must report the same to 
the mayor, under a penalty of twenty dollars. 

Surveyor. — A surveyor is appointed by the 
mayor, &c., to lay off lots and graduate the streets 
of the city, for which he is to receive three hun- 
dred dollars per annum, and gives bond in the sum 
of two thousand dollars for the faithful performance 
of his various scientific and arduous duties. 

Sweeping Chimneys. — The mayor appoints 
contractors for sweeping and scrapincr the chim- 
neys of the city, they giving bond and security for 
five hundred dollars each for the performance of 
their duties. 

It is made the duty of the contractors, every 
month to visit every inhabited house within their 
district, having given two days previous notice, and 
thoroughly sweep and scrape every flue in which 
fire has been used. 

Any person refusing to have their chimneys 
swept, as required by law, to pay the same fees as 
if they had been swept. And if any such chim- 
neys catch fire, the occupier of the house to be 
fined eight dollars for each offence, except that the 
refusal was made in consequence of sickness or re- 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 195 

cent death in the family. If a chimney takes fire 
from the neglect of the contractor in sweeping, he 
is liable to a fine of ten dollars. No person must 
set fire to their chimney, under a penalty of five 
dollars, except when the flue is too small to be 
swept by the contractor. The contractor is to 
receive ten cents for every flue, and for every story. 
The contractors must make a just return to the 
register's office, of all the chimneys swept, with 
the names of the owners, on the first Monday of 
each month. 

No person shall keep any hay or fodder in their 
dwelling houses, under a penalty of twenty dol- 
lars, except the same be for bedding, or for pack- 
ing goods. 

Any person passing a stove-pipe through any 
wooden or weather-boarded house, unless it is 
properly secured from fire to the satisfaction of the 
commissioner of the ward, under a penalty of three 
dollars for every week it shall so remain. The 
pipes must also be cleaned once a month, under a 
penalty of three dollars for each omission. 

No person is allowed to carry fire exposed to 
the wind, through the streets, under a penalty of 
three dollars for each offence. 
Taxes. — On real and personal property, on every 
one hundred dollars, per annum, - $ 75 

Male slaves, the property of residents, 
between fifteen and forty-five years of 
age each, now to be assessed as per- 
sonal property, - - - - 2 00 
Female slaves between the same ages 

each, - - - - - 1 00 



19G ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 

Male slaves, the property of non-resi- 
dents, between twelve and eighteen 
years of age, - - - - $ 5 00 
Male slaves, the property of non-resi- 
dents, over eighteen years of age, 20 00 
Female slaves, the property of non-resi- 
dents, over fifteen years of age, - 2 00 
■Coach, - - - - 15 00 
Chariot, post-chariot, and post- 
chaise, - - - - 12 00 
Phaeton, - - - - 9 00 
Coachee with panel work in up- 
per part, - - - - 9 00 
Coachee with framed posts and 

top, - - - - 6 00 
Top carriage with four wheels 
on springs, curricle, chaise, 
chair, sulkey, or any other two- 
wheeled carriage on iron or 
steel springs, - - - 3 00 
On every other two-wheeled car- 
riage, - - . - 2 00 
On every four-wheel carriage of 
frame posts and top, and on 
^ wooden spars, - - - 2 00 
On hacks of resident owners, - - 10 00 
On do. of non-residents, - - 20 00 
If residents in Georgetown, or other non- 
residents, 50 00 

On licenses to tavern keepers, - 60 00 

to retailers of wine, liquors, 

&c., - . - 10 00 



a 

o 

Oh 
< 



O 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 197 

On licenses to hawkers and pedlers, 

to auctioneers, 
For theatrical and other public amuse- 
ments per day, - - - - 
On billiard-tables, - - - - 
On wagons belonging to residents, 
Lottery office, . . - - 

Brokers, 

Dealers in slaves, - - - - 
Money exchangers, - - . 

On carts and drays, belonging to resi- 
dents, each, . - - - 
On wagons belonging to non-residents, 
On carts and drays of do. each, 
On dogs of the male kind. 
On dogs of the female kind, 

Theatrical and other Public Amusements. — 
That no person or persons shall exhibit any theatri- 
cal or other public amusement, show, or natural 
curiosity, for gain, without first having a license 
from the mayor for that purpose ; for which license 
shall be paid the sum of five dollars to the register, 
for the use of the city, and shall be in force one 
day and no longer. And any person or persons 
exhibiting any theatrical or other public amuse- 
ment, show, or natural curiosity, without such 
license, shall forfeit and pay for every such exhi- 
bition, the sum of ten dollars ; one half for the 
use of the person who shall prosecute for the 
same, and the other to the corporation : Provided, 
That nothing herein contained, shall be construed 
.to extend to prohibit the showing or exhibiting 
17* 



1 50 


00 


100 


00 


5 


00 


100 


00 


5 


00 


3 


00 


2 


00 


4 


00 


50 


00 


2 


00 


8 


00 


5 


00 


2 


00 


5 


00 



198 ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 

any experiment or exhibition in natural philosophy 
without such license. 

Tobacco. — A warehouse to contain six hundred 
hogsheads of tobacco, is erected on lots No. 13 
and 14, square 801, near the Eastern Branch river. 

An inspector of tobacco is appointed by the 
mayor, &c., on the fourth Monday of June, annu- 
ally. It is made the duty of the inspector to 
inspect all tobacco intended for sale, and to mark 
on each hogshead the quaUty, nett weight, owner's 
name, place, <fcc., and to deliver a certificate to the 
owner for each hogshead. Any person sending 
tobacco by land or water out of the district, with- 
out such inspection and certificate, to be fined five 
hundred dollars. 

No inspector to deal in any way in tobacco, or 
to receive any reward except his salary, during 
the time of his being in office, under a penalty of 
three hundred dollars. The inspector to receive 
one dollar for every hogshead inspected from the 
owner — and a salary of one hundred dollars per 
annum, payable quarter yearly. 

Trees. — A sum not exceeding one hundred dol- 
lars per annum is appropriated, for keeping the 
trees in the avenues and streets in order. Any 
person injuring any of the boxes or trees, to be 
fined in a sum not less than five, nor exceeding 
twenty dollars. Any person tying a horse to 
any of the said trees, or boxes, to be fined five 
dollars. 

Wards. — The city is divided into six wards, in 
the following manner : — all that part of the city to 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 199 

the westward of Fifteenth street, west, shall con- 
stitute the First ward ; that part to the eastward of 
Fifteenth street, west, and to the westward of 
Tenth street, west, shall constitute the Second 
ward; that part to the eastward of Tenth street, 
west, to the westward of First street, west, and to 
the northward of E street, south, shall constitute 
the Third ward ; that part to the eastward of First 
street, west, to the eastward of Eighth street, east, 
and to the northward of E street, south, shall con- 
stitute the Fourth ward ; that part to the eastward 
of Tenth street, w^est, to the westward of Fourth 
street, east, and to the southward of E street, 
south, shall constitute the Fifth ward ; and the 
residue of the city, shall constitute the Sixth 
ward. 

The ward commissioners shall not exceed three : 
one for the First, and one for the Second and Third ; 
and the duties of the commissioner in the Fourth, 
Fifth, and Sixth wards, are now discharged by 
the police officers of those wards. 

Weighing. — Scales for weighing hay, &c. are 
placed — one on square 731 ; one on the open 
space between the West market-house and Penn- 
sylvania avenue, and between Twentieth and 
Twenty -first streets, east ; and one on the Centre- 
market square, on the east side of Ninth street, 
west, and twenty feet south of Pennsylvania ave- 
nue ; and one at the intersection of Twelfth street 
and Maryland avenues, near the Potomac bridge. 
All hay, straw, and fodder, to be weighed at one 
of the said machines, and a certificate of its nett 
weight obtained before sale, under a penalty of 



200 ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 

two dollars. The weigher to receive fifty cents 
for every wagon, and twenty-five cents for every 
cart-load weighed. 

All Indian-corn and rye-meal to be sold at the 
rate of forty-eight pounds, avoirdupois, per bushel. 

Wharves. — In pursuance of an act of the 10th 
of November, 1806, a wharf was erected on the 
Potomac river, at the south end of Seventeenth 
street, west, after which the following provisions 
were enacted, viz. 

1. That the mayor be, and he is hereby author- 
ized and directed to rent the wharf at the end of 
Seventeenth street, west, on the Tiber creek, by 
the year, for such sum as he may think just, for 
the use of the corporation. 

2. That any amount for repairs that the mayor 
may think just for said wharf, shall be allowed out 
of the rent, and the surplus, if any, shall be paid 
into the city treasury. 

3. That until Tiber creek shall be cleared so as 
to admit vessels and boats to pass and repass 
without obstruction, the following rates of wharfage 
shall be received for landing or shipping : — 

For wood or bark, per cord, - - 10 cts. 

Plank, per M. - - - - 20 

Scantling, per M. - - - 25 

Shingles, eighteen inches long, per M. 10 

Shingles, two feet and upwards, M. 15 

Laths, per M. - - - - 6 

Palings, per M. - - - 12 

Stone, per perch, - - - 9 

Sand, per barrel, - - - ^ 

Bricks, per M. - - . 12 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 201 

sFor house frames, per story, - 30 cts. 

Posts, cedar or locust, per hundred, 40 
All kinds of grain, meal, or bran, per 

hundred bushels, - - - 20 
Barrels, each - - - - 3 

Hay, per ton, - - - - 25 
Hogsheads and crates each, - 6 

Kegs and boxes, candles and soap, 3 
Lime per barrel, . - . g 

Dockage. — Vessels laying at the wharf longer 
than twenty-four hours, shall be charged per day, 
twenty-five cents. 

None of the articles here enumerated or that 
may be brought to, are to lay on the above wharves 
more than forty-eight hours without paying for 
every twenty-four hours the same price as for the 
former forty-eight hours, and so in proportion for 
any shorter time. For all articles not herein enu- 
merated, to pay in proportion as above. And any 
goods or articles being left on said wharves longer 
than six days may be removed at the expense and 
risk of the owner. 

4. That any person charging or receiving more 
wharfage than is herein fixed, shall forfeit and 
pay the sum of five dollars. 

5. That the sum agreed to be expended in 
repairs on the said wharf, shall be laid out under 
the direction of two commissioners to be appointed 
by the mayor. 

Wood. — Five corders of wood are appointed by 
the mayor, &c., on the fourth Monday in June, 
annually. All wood offered for sale in the city 
must be sound ; and at least four feet long, includ- 



202 ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 

ing one half of the kerf, and not less than two 
inches in diameter at the small end. It is to be 
corded by one of the wood-corders ; and every 
cord must contain 128 cubic feet of solid wood, 
after making the proper allowances for want of 
closeness of cording ; that is, each cord must be 
eight feet long, and four feet four inches in height ; 
the straight wood to be placed in the lower part of 
the pile, and the crooked in the upper part. The 
corder to be paid six cents per cord by the seller. 
All the defective wood to be corded separately. 

Any person failing to have his wood corded, to 
be fined two dollars. And any person purchasing 
without having the wood first corded, to be fined 
two dollars. All wood brought by land to be sub- 
ject to the same regulations, excepting such as may 
be sold by the wagon, cart, dray, or sled-load. 
The wood-corders to make oath to discharge their 
duties faithfully and impartially. 

Weights and Measures. — The mayor, cfec, on 
the fourth Monday in June, is required to appoint 
a suitable person as a sealer of weights and mea- 
sures. He shall keep an office near the centre of 
the city, and keep all the standards of weights and 
measures for the use of the city. His duty is to 
examine all scale-beams, weights, and measures, 
that are brought to his office for the purpose ; and 
after seeing that they are agreeable to the standards, 
to brand them with the letter W. within three 
days ; and on neglect, be fined five dollars. He 
is to receive a fee of two dollars in each case of 
examination and adjustment; and also one hundred 
and fifty dollars per annum, salary. It is made his 



BUILDING REGULATIONS, ETC. 203 

duty to go to all the shops in the citj^ at least 
once in six months, and examine the weights, &;c. 
Any person refusing to have such examination, is 
liable to pay a fine of from one, to ten dollars. 
Any person selling by weights or measures not 
stamped, to be fined one dollar ; and to have the 
same seized. 



BUILDING REGULATIONS, ETC. 

No. 1. 

Teiins and Conditions declared by the President 
of the United States, this seventeenth day of 
October, 1791, for regulating the materials 
and manner of the Buildings and Improve' 
ments on the Lots in the City of Washington. 

1st. That the outer and party-walls of all houses 
within the said city, shall be built of brick or stone. 

2d. That all buildings on the streets shall be 
parallel thereto, and may be advanced to the line of 
the street, or withdrawn therefrom, at the pleasure 
of the improver ; but where any such building is 
about to be erected, neither the foundation or party- 
wall shall be begun, without first applying to the 
person or persons appointed by the commissioners 
to superintend the buildings within the city, who 
will ascertain the lines of the walls to correspond 
with these regulations. 

, 3d. The wall of no house to be higher than forty 
feet to the roof, in any part of the city ; nor shall 



204 BUILDING REGULATIONS, ETC. 

any be lower than thirty-five feet on any of the 
avenues. 

4th. That the person or persons appointed by 
the commissioners to superintend the buildings, 
may enter on the land of any person to set out the 
foundation and regulate the walls to be built be- 
tween party and party, as to the breadth and thick- 
ness thereof: which foundation shall be laid equally 
upon the lands of the persons between whom such 
party-walls are to be built, and shall be of th& 
breadth and thickness determined by such person 
proper : and the first builder shall be reimbursed 
one moiety of the charge of such party-wall, or so 
much thereof, as the next builder shall have occasion 
to make use of, before such next builder shall any 
ways use or break into the wall. The charge or 
value thereof, to be set by the person or persons sc 
appointed by the commissioners. 

5th. As temporary conveniences will be proper, 
for lodging workmen, and securing materials for 
building, it is to be understood that such may be 
erected, with the approbation of the commissioners ; 
but they may be removed or discontinued by the 
special order of the commissioners. 

6th. The way into the squares being designed^ 
in a special manner, for the common use and con- 
venience of the occupiers of the respective squares, 
the property in the same is reserved to the public, 
so that there may be an immediate interference on 
any abuse of the use thereof by any individual, to 
the nuisance or obstructions of others. The pro- 
prietors of lots adjoining the entrance into the 
squares, on arching over the entrance, and fixing 



BUILDING REGULATIONS, ETC. 205 

gates in the manner the commissioners shall ap- 
prove, shall be entitled to divide the space over the 
arching, and build it up with the range of that line 
of the square, 

7th. No vaults shall be permitted under the 
streets, nor any encroachments on the footway 
above, by steps, stoops, porches, cellar-doors, 
windows, ditches, or leaning walls ; nor shall there 
be any projection over the street, other than the 
eves of the house without the consent of the com- 
missoners. 

8th. These regulations are the terms and con- 
ditions under and upon which conveyances are to 
be made, according to the deeds in trust of the 
lands within the city. 

George Washington. 

No 2. 
City of ff^ashington, July 7, 1794. 
Whereas, by the seventh article of the terms 
and conditions declared by the President of the 
United States, on the 17th of October, 1791, for 
regulating the materials and manner of the buildings 
and improvements on the lots in the city of Wash- 
ington, it is provided, " that no vaults shall be per- 
mitted under the streets, nor any encroachments on 
the footway above, by steps, stoops, porches, cellar- 
doors, windows, ditches, or leaning walls ; nor shall 
there be any projection over the street, other than 
the eaves of the house, without the consent of the 
commissioners." And it is thought that allowing 
areas or ditches, of seven feet in breadth, cut in the 
18 



206 BUILDING REGULATIONS, ETC. 

street, and secured by a good wall, raised one foot 
above the surface, of wrought freestone, and having 
neat iron pallisading, of the height of four feet, on 
the centre of the wall, and adjoining the steps, into 
the doors of the houses, would tend to the con- 
venience and safety of the inhabitants and their 
property, and add to the beauty of the city ; there- 
fore, so much, and so much only, of the said 
seventh article is hereby dispensed with, as will 
allow and permit such areas or ditches to be made, 
walled on the street side with good stone walls, at 
least eighteen inches thick, of the height, and palli- 
saded with iron, as aforesaid, on the centre of the 
wall, leaving seven feet between the line of the 
street and the pallisading. And such areas or 
ditches are hereby permitted and allowed to be 
made, so that the same be finished within one year 
from the cutting out the same ; but if the same shall 
notbe so completed within that time, then the owner 
of the house shall fill the same up, or the same may 
be done by the commissioners, or others, by their 
order. 

[Signed] Thomas Johnson, 

D. Stuart, ^ Commis^rs, 

D. Carroll. 

Approved, 

[Signed] George Washington. 



] 



By the President of the United States: 

TVherkas, by the first article of the terms and 
conditions declared by the President of the United 
States, on the 17th day of October, 1791, forregu- 



BUILDING REGULATIONS, ETC. 207 

lating the materials and the manner of building^s and 
improvements on the lots in the city of Washing- 
ton, it is provided, "That the outer and party-walls 
of all the houses in the city shall be built of brick 
or stone ;" and by the third article of the said 
terms and conditions it is declared, " That the 
walls of no house shall be higher than forty feet to 
the roof in any part of the city, nor shall any be 
lower than thirty-five feet, on any of the avenues." 
And whereas, the above recited articles have been 
found by experience to impede the improvement 
of the city, for which cause, the operation thereof 
has been suspended by several acts of the President 
of the United States, from the 5th day of June, 
1796, to the first day of January, 1818, and the 
benefit of such suspensions having been experi- 
enced, it is deemed proper to revive and continue 
the same, with the exceptions hereinafter men- 
tioned : 

Wherefore, I, James Monroe, President of the 
United States, do declare and make known, that 
the said first and third articles, as above recited, 
shall be, and the same are hereby suspended, until 
the first day of January, one thousand eight hun- 
dred and twenty ; and that all houses which shall 
be erected in the said city of Washington, pre- 
vious to the said first day of January, one thousand 
eight hundred and twenty, conformable in other 
respects to the regulations aforesaid, shall be con- 
sidered as lawfully built ; except that no wooden 
house, covering more than three hundred and 
twenty square feet, or higher than twelve feet from 
the sill to the eves, shall be erected; nor shall any 



208 



CORPORATION OFFICERS. 



such house be placed within twenty-four feet of 
any other house. 

Given under my hand, the fourteenth day of 
January, in the year one thousand eight 
hundred and eighteen. 

James Monroe. 
Samuel Lane, 

Commissioner of the Public Buildings, 

Note. — By a late law of the corporation, wooden 
houses may be built of any height, or area, if twenty- 
four feet from any brick or stone building. 



corporation officers. 

Mayor.— -Peter Force. 

Register. — William Hewitt. 

First Clerk. — Charles H. Wiltberger. 

Second Clerk. — Joseph Radcliff. 

Attorney. — Joseph R. Bradly. 

Aldermen of the First Ward. — Charles W. 
Goldsborough, Henry M. Steiner. 

Common Councilmen. — Alex. M'Intire, James 
Gaither, William P. Gardner. 

Aldermen of the Second Ward. — James Hoban, 
John A. Wilson. 

Cormnon Coiincilmen. — Henry Ashton, Francis 
Coyle, Henry Smith. 

Aldermen of the Third Ward. — William W. 
Seaton, John Law.* 
> 
^" * Deceased. 



CORPORATION OFFICERS. 209 



OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION. 

Mayor, — Peter Force. 

Register. — William Hewitt. 

First Clerk. — Charles H. Wiltberffer, 

Second Clerk. — Joseph RadclifF. 

S-ttorney. — J. H. Bradley. 

Surveyor. — Wm. Elliot. 

Board of Jildermen. — John D. Barkley and 
Charles W. Goldsborough, First ward. 

WilUam B. Randolph and Charles L. Coltman, 
Second ward. 

William Gimton and Joseph Harbaugh, Third 
ward. 

William Brent and George Watterston, Fourth 
ward. 

Griffith Coombe and Nathaniel Bradey, Fifth 
ward. 

Marmaduke Dove and James Marshall, Sixth 
ward. , 

Common Coundlmen. — Edm'd Hanley, Tho's 
Munroe, and William Easby, First w^ard. 

Jonathan Seaver, Wallace Kirkwood, and Geo. 
Crandell, Second ward. 

John W. Maury, J. H. Goddard, and G. C. 
Grammer, Third ward. 

James Adams, John Lynch, and James Carbery, 
Fourth ward. 

Alexander Shepherd, WilUam E. Howard, and 
Isaac Clarke, Fifth ward. 

James Crandell, Janet Taylor, and Benedict 
Milburn, Sixth ward. 

18* 



210 CORPORATION OFFICERS. 

Collectors of Taxes. — W. W. Billing, for the 
First and Second wards ; Andrew Rothwell, for 
Third and Fourth wards ; George Adams, for the 
Fifth and Sixth wards.* 

.Assessors. — William Waters, John Sessford, 
and James Young. 

Board of Appeal. — John McClelland, Edward 
Ingle, and Thomas Blagden. 

Police Magistrates. — Sam'l Driny and Joseph 
Forrest, for the First ward; C. H. W. Wharton 
and W. B. Randolph, for the Second ward ; B. K. 
Morsell and William Thompson, for the Third 
ward ; James Young and William Hebb, for the 
Fourth ward ; Samuel P. Lowe and Nathaniel 
Brady, for the Fifth ward; Edward W. Clarke 
and James Marsliall, for the Sixth ward. 

Justices of the Peace. — Richard S. Briscoe, 
Edward W. Clarke, Clement T. Coote, John 
Cox, Lewis Carbery, John D. Clarke, Samuel 
Dniry, David A. Hall, Wm. Thompson, George 
Naylor, C. H. W. Wharton, Fleet Smith, Clement 
Smith, and C. H. Wiltberger. 

City Commissioners. — Samuel Drury, for the 
First ward ; John Sessford, for the Second ward ; 

Charles Bell, for the Third ward. Acting, 

Thomas J. Barrett, for the Fourth ward ; Edward 
Ford, for the Fifth ward ; Horatio R. Merryman, 
for the Sixth ward. 

Constables. — Fielder B. Poston and Leonard 

* One collector is to be appointed on the first day of January, 1838, 
who will hold his office in the City Hall, which will be kept open every 
day, from 9 o'clock, A. >L, until 3 o'clock, P. M. 



CORPORATION OFFICERS. 211 

Ashton, First ward ; John Waters and Fielder 
Burch, Second ward ; Richard R. Burr and Henry 
B. Robertson, Third ward ; Thomas J. BaiTett, 
Fourth ward ; Edward Ford, Fifth ward ; Hora- 
tio R. Merryman, Sixth ward. 

Commissioners of the Centre Market. — Wm. 
B. Randolph and G. C. Grammar. 

Clerks of the Markets. — AVilliam Serrin, West 
market ; Thomas Lloyd, Centre market ; AVilliam 
Clarke, assistant for do. ; James Johnson, Capitol 
Hill market ; Peter Little, Eastern Branch market. 

Inspectors and Measurers of Lumber. — David 

A. Gardiner, Charles Lyons, George Mattingly, 
William Archer, George Collard, and B. Bean. 

Woodcorders and CoaJmeasurers. — Thomas 
Herbert, William Lowry, Nathaniel Plantt, John 

B. Ferguson. 

Gangers and Inspectors. — Nicholas Callan, 
First and Second wards ; and Thomas Burch, 
Third and Fourth wards. 

Measurers of Grain, Bran, Shorts, and Ship' 
stuffs. — Thomas Herbert for the First; William 
Lowrie, second ; and John B. Ferguson, third dis- 
tricts ; W^ alter Warder, for the Tiber. 

Commissioners of the West Burial Ground. — 
Lewis Johnson, Jacob A. Bender. — Sexton, John 
Douglass. 

Commissioners of the East Burial Ground. — 
Matthew Wright, John P. Ingle, and George C. 
Thompson. — Sexton, John Brightwell. 

Contractor to keep Pumps and Hydrants in 
repair, — George Hercus. 



212 OFFICES OF GENERAL GOVERNMENT. 



LIST OF OFFICES 

Of the General Governtnenf, established at TVash- 
ington City. 

The President of the United States, Martin Van 
Buren, of New York, resides most part of the 
year in an elegant house provided at the expense 
of the general government, lying nearly equally 
distant between Georgetown and the capitol, where 
he receives all foreign ministers, holds cabinet 
councils, transacts all public business, and, during 
tlie winter, frequently entertains members of con- 
gress, strangers, and citizens. 

The president is, by the constitution, made com- 
mander in chief of the army and navy of the United 
States, and of the militia of the several states, when 
called into the service of the United States. He 
grants commissions to all offices of the United 
States ; and reprieves and pardons, except in cases 
of impeachment. His duty is to see that the laws 
ai'e all executed according to law ; and he is also 
vested, ex-officio, with the superintendence of all 
the public property in the city of Washington. 
His salary is twenty-five thousand dollars per 
annum. He is elected by electors, chosen as the 
legislatures of the difterent states may provide ; 
tlieir number is equal to that of the senators and 
congressmen sent by each state. 

Any person having business to do with the pre- 
sident, and for that purpose coming to Washington, 
generally waits on him, personally, in the morning, 
after breakfast. A decent respectable appearance, 
are all the requisites necessary for an introduction. 



OFFICES OF GENERAL GOVERNMENT. 213 

The Vice-president of the United States, Richard 
M. Johnson, of Kentucky, is ex-officio president 
of the senate, and one of the commissioners of the 
Sinking-Fund. He is not a member of the cabinet 
council. He seldom resides in the city of Wash- 
ington, except during the session of congress. He 
receives five thousand dollars per annum salary. 

Department of State. — (New building east of 
the President's house, facing north, second story.) 
The Secretary of State, John Forsyth, of Georgia, 
is nominated to office by the President, and con- 
firmed by the senate ; and has a salary of six thou- 
sand dollars per annum. His duties are to corres- 
pond officially M'ith all the ministers of the United 
States sent to foreign courts, and with foreign mi- 
nisters resident in the United States. He attends 
to all national business respecting commerce, and 
the fulfilment and distribution of the laws; has 
charge of the public archives ; makes out commis- 
sions for all national agents at home and abroad ; 
has the control of the patent-office ; and issues copy- 
rights for books, and preserves the copies deposited 
in the Library of the Department. In this depart- 
ment, the following persons are employed : — A. 
O. Dayton, chief clerk ; W. S. Derrick, Francis 
Markoe, and William Hunter, jr., diplomatic bu- 
reau ; Benjamin Vail and Robert S. Chew, consu- 
lar bureau ; A. T. M'Cormick, Horatio Jones, J. 

I S. Ringgold, and A. R. Derrick, home bureau ; 

I Thomas W. Dickens, keeper of archives ; George 
Hill, librarian; Robert Greenhow, translator; Ed- 

j ward Stubbs, disbursing- agent. 

I Fifth Auditor's Office.— The duty of the fifth 

\ 



214 OFFICES OF GENERAL GOVERNMENT. 

auditor, Stephen Pleasonton, is to receive and ex- 
amine all accounts relative to the department of 
state, general post-office, and Indian trade ; certify 
the balances, and transmit the accounts, with the 
vouchers and certificates, to the first comptroller, for 
his inspection and decision. 

The fifth auditor has also assigned to him the 
duties of commissioner of the revenue, and the 
final adjustment of accounts respecting the Direct 
Tax and Internal Duties, agreeably to the act of the 
23d December, 1817. 

The fifth auditor is likewise designated by the 
president, under the act of the 15th of May, 1820, 
as agent of the Treasury, for enforcing the payment 
of money due the United States. 

The following persons are employed in this of- 
fice : — 

Stephen Pleasonton, auditor, 3000 dolls. ; Tho's 
Mustin, chief clerk, 1700 dolls. ; John H. Hous- 
ton, 1400 dolls. ; Joseph Shaw, 1400 dolls. ; Jas. 
D. King, 1150 dolls.; Arthur Campbell, 1150 
dolls. ; Robert Beale, 1150 dolls. ; Henry W. Ball, 
1150 dolls.; Jonathan Guest, 1150 dolls. — Mes- 
senger, Edward Holland, 700 dolls. 

General Land Office. — (1st story.) This office 
is a section of the treasury department, and was 
created by an act of congress dated on the 25th of 
April, 1812. All accounts of the difterent receiv- 
ing offices are rendered to this office. And all mili- 
tary warrants for bounty lands, &;c., issued from it. 

The following persons are employed in this of- 
fice : — 

James Whitcomb, commissioner, 3000 dolls. ; 



OFFICES OF GENERAL GOVERNMENT. 215 

Matthew Birchard, solicitor, 2000 dolls. ; Hudson 
M. Garland, recorder, 2000 dolls. ; John M. 
Moore, principal clerk of public lands, 1800 dolls. ; 
Samuel D. King, principal clerk of private land 
claims, 1800 dolls, ; William T. Steiger, principal 
clerk of public surveys, 1800 dolls. ; Frederick 
Keller, 1500 dolls. ; Meade Fitshugh, 1400 dolls. ; 
William Simmons, 1400 dolls. ; Joseph S. Wilson, 
1400 dolls. ; J. J. Course, 1300 dolls. ; Joseph S. 
Collins, 1300 dolls. ; C. S. Frailey, 1300 dolls. ; 
Jacob Nollner, 1300 dolls. ; N. A. Randall, 1300 
dolls. ; Benjamin T. Riley, 1300 dolls.; William 
S. Smith, 1300 dolls. ; John Wilson, 1300 dolls. ; 
William Wood, 1300 dolls.; John Addison, 1200 
dolls. ; John Y. Bryant, 1200 dolls. ; Edward 
Barnard, 1200 dolls.; Walter T. Brooke, 1200 
dolls. ; Edward W. Collins, 1200 dolls. ; Edward 
Coolidge, 1200 dolls.; Charles Fletcher, 1200 
dolls. ; Samuel Hanson, 1200 dolls. ; Willam G. 
Love, 1200 dolls. ; O. S. Paine, 1200 dolls. ; Wil- 
liam 0. Slade, 1200 dolls.; John H. Sherburne, 
1200 dolls. ; Isaac C. Smith, 1200 dolls. ; James 
B. Faggart, 1200 dolls. ; Lund Washington, jr. 
1200 dolls. ; G. C. Whiting, 1200 dolls. ; John 
T. Walker, 1200 dolls. ; M. M. Cole, 1100 dolls. ; 
William H. Deitz, 1100 dolls.; William French, 
1100 dolls.; Lewis G. Gassaway, 1100 dolls.; 
Albert Greenleaf, 1100 dolls.; David F. Heaton, 
1100 dolls.; Charles IJ'irray, 1100 dolls.; An- 
thony Reintzell, 1100 dolls. ; John L. Barnhill, 
1000 dolls. ; O. H. Bestor, 1000 dolls. ; Isaac B. 
Barber, 1000 dolls. ; William V. H. Brown, 1000 
dolls-, ; Samuel Gutts, 1000 dolls. ; Richard Coxe, 



216 OFFICES OF GENERAL GOVERNMENT. 

1000 dolls. ; George W. Cambloss, 1000 dolls. ; 
William Davis, jr. 1000 dolls.; H. Dumas, 1000 
dolls.; L. P. Davis, 1000 dolls.; A. R. Dowson, 
1000 dolls.; John W. De Krafft, 1000 dolls.; 
Estwick Evans, 1000 dolls.; William Greer, 1000 
dolls.; J. P. C. Gallagher, 1000 dolls.; Henry 
Hungerford, 1000 dolls. ; William Henry, 1000 
dolls.; W. M. Haxtun, 1000 dolls.; William 
Hicks, 1000 dolls.; Abner B. Kelly, 1000 dolls.; 
A. H. Lawrence, 1000 dolls. ; Richard J. Morsell, 
1000 dolls.; Wilfred Manning, 1000 dolls.; James 
M. Morgan, 1000 dolls. ; William Nourse, 1000 
dolls.; E, W. Reinhart, 1000 dolls.; Thomas 
Smallwood, 1000 dolls. ; Parker H. Sweet, 1000 
dolls. ; William W. Thompson, 1000 dolls. ; F. A. 
Tschiffely, 1000 dolls. ; George Taylor, 1000 
dolls. ; Hopeful Toler, 1000 dolls. ; John Jacob 
Ungerer, 1000 dolls. ; John P. Wingerd, 1000 
dolls. ; J. H. Waggaman, 1000 dolls. ; Robert H. 
Williamson, 1000 dolls.; William H Watson, 
1000 dolls. ; Marinus Willett, 1000 dolls. ; Sam'l 
M. Wolfe, 1000 dolls. ; Robert Whitacre, 1000 
dolls. ; and Charles Whitman, 1000 dolls. 

Adjutant GeneraVs Office, — (In the lower story, 
same building.) Charles J. Nourse, acting adjutant 
general, &;c., and Lieutenant Samuel Cooper. — 
Brooke Williams, chief clerk, 1160 dolls. ; John 
Hepburn, clerk, 1000 dolls. 

Treasury Department. — Old Executive OfRce ; 
east of the President's house, first story — fronting 
south. 

Fitdt Muditor^s Office. — The duty of the first 
auditor, James Miller, is to receive all accounts 



OFFICES OF GENERAL GOVERNMENT. 217 

accruing in the treasury department ; and after ex- 
amining the same, certify the balance, and trans- 
mit the accounts with the vouchers and certificate 
to the first comptroller for his examination and de- 
cision. The following persons are employed in 
this office : — 

Jesse Miller, first auditor, 3000 dolls. ; Alexan- 
der Mahon, chief clerk, 1700 dolls. — Jeremiah 
Williams, 1400 dolls. ; William Morton, 1400 
dolls.; John Underwood, 1150 dolls.; Jeremiah 
W. Bronaugh, 1150 dolls.; John Coyle, 1150 
dolls.; James M. Torbert, 1150 dolls.; Thomas 
G. Slye, 1150 dolls.; Daniel P. Porter, 1150 
dolls.; J. W. Bronaugh, jr. 1000 dolls.; John A. 
Brightwell, 1000 dolls.; Jas. Colegate, 800 dolls. — 
Charles B. Davis, messenger, 700 dolls. 

Under the 3d section of the act of 3d of March, 
1837, an addition is made to the above salaries, 
until the end of the next session of congress, of 
20 per cent, on all not exceeding 1000 dolls., and 
ten per cent, on those above that sum, and hot ex- 
ceeding 2000 dolls. 

Treasurer of the United States Office. — It is 
made the duty of the treasurer of the United States, 
to take charge of all money belonging to the go- 
vernment; and to disburse the same upon warrants 
drawn by the Secretary of the Treasury, and coun- 
tersigned by the proper comptroller and auditor, 
and recorded by the register. 

The following persons are employed in this of- 
fice: — 

John Campbell, treasurer, 3000 dolls. ; Wm. B. 
Randolph, chief clerk, 1700 dolls.; Henry Jack- 
19 



218 OFFICES OF GENERAL GOVERNMENT. 

son, 1400 dolls. ; George W. Dashiell, 1200 dolls. ; 
Andrew Smith, 1150 dolls. ; Henry Brooks, 1000 
dolls. ; James Moore, messenger, 700 dolls., (on 
General Post Office accounts) — Jonathan Guest, 
1400 dolls. ; Hopkins Lightner, 1200 dolls, ; Wil- 
liam Adams, 1000 dolls. 

Begister's Office. — It is made the duty of the 
register of the United States, (Thomas S. Smith,) 
to keep an account of all receipts and expenditures 
of public money, and of all debts due to, or from 
the United States. He receives from the comp- 
trollers the accounts which have been finally adjust- 
ed, and, with their vouchers and certificate, pre- 
serves them. 

He records all warrants for the receipt or pay- 
ment of money at the treasury ; certifies the same 
thereon, and transmits to the secretary of the trea- 
sury, copies of the certificates of balances of ac- 
counts adjusted. He also keeps district tonnage 
accounts of the United States. 

By an act of the 10th of February, 1820, it is 
made the duty of tlie register to prepare statistical 
accounts of the commerce of the United States, to 
be laid annually before congress. The accounts 
are made up from the quarterly returns of the col- 
lectors of the customs ; which exhibits in a very 
accurate way the foreign commerce of the United 
States. 

The following persons are employed in this of- 
fice : — 

Tho's S. Smith, register, 3000 dolls. ; Michael 
Nourse, chief clerk, 1700 dolls. ; James Mac- 
Clery, 1400 dolls. ; John D. Barclay, 1400 dolls ; 



OFFICES OF GENERAL GOVERNMENT. 219 

James Laurie, 1400 dolls. ; John B. Blake, 1400 
dolls.; Francis Lowndes, 1150 dolls.; William 
James, 1150 dolls. ; B. F. Ritlenhouse, 1150 dolls.; 
J. M. Wood, 1000 dolls. ; Joseph Moimtz, 1000 
dolls.; Isaac K. Hanson, 1000 dolls.; John Nourse, 
1000 dolls. ; Henry Brewer, 1000 dolls. ; William 
Cox, 1000 dolls. ; James D. Woodside, 1000 
dolls. ; Robert Lawrence, 1000 dolls. ; Edgar Pat- 
terson, 1000 dolls. ; George W. Barry, 800 dolls. ; 
William Machey, 800 dolls. ; P. W. Gallandel, 
800 dolls. ; James Watson, 700 dolls. ; Thomas 
H. Quincy, 350 dolls. 

First Comptroller's Office. —(2d story.) The 
first comptroller, George Wolf, examines all ac- 
counts settled by the first and fifth auditors ; and 
certifies the balances arising thereon to the regis- 
ter ; he countersigns all warrants drawn by the se- 
cretary of the treasury, if legal ; he superintends 
the preservation of public accounts, subject to his 
revison, and superintends the regular payment of 
all public money collected. It is also made his duty 
to attend to the recovery of all debts due to the 
United States ; and to direct suits and all legal 
proceedings for the recovery of the same. 

The following persons are employed in this of- 
fice : — 

George Wolf, comptroller, 3500 dolls. ; John 
Laub, chief clerk, 1700 dolls. ; William William- 
son, 1400 dolls. ; Lund Washington, 1400 dolls. ; 
James Larned, 1400 dolls. ; William Anderson, 
1400 dolls. ; Nicholas B. Vanzandt, 1150 dolls.; 
Richard S. Briscoe, 1150 dolls.; George Wood, 
1150 dolls. ; T. F. Anderson, 1150 dolls. ; Tho's. 



220 OFFICES OF GENERAL GOVERNMENT. 

Feran, 1150 dolls. ; James M'Corkle 1000 dolls. ; 
William Miller, 1000 dolls. ; George Johnson, 
1000 dolls. ; William Handy, 1000 dolls. ; James 
M. Burke, 1000 dolls. — Messengers, John N. 
Lovejoy, 700 dolls. ; Jacob Hines, 550 dolls. ; 

Secretary of the Treasury's Office. — The duty 
of the secretary of the treasury, Levi Woodbury, 
is to superintend all the fiscal concerns of the go- 
vernment. He is nominated to office by the Presi- 
sident, and confirmed by the Senate, is a member of 
the cabinet council, and one of the commissioners 
of the {Sinking Fund. He annually makes a state- 
ment to congress of the revenue or income, and ex- 
penditures of the nation ; and recommends to con- 
gress what he deems the ways and means of raising 
the revenue, by taxes, duties, &c. All accounts of 
the government are finally settled at the treasury 
department. 

This department is divided into the office of the 
secretary, (who has the superintendence of the 
whole ; but who is not absolute in adjusting claims, 
or paying money,) into two comptrollers, five au- 
ditors, a register, a treasurer, and a solicitor. 

The auditors of the public accounts are empower- 
ed to administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses, 
when thought necessary for the due examination of 
the accounts presented to them. 

Besides the disbursements of money for the ex- 
penses of the government, there are contingent 
funds, annually appropriated for incidental objects, 
or such as could not be easily foreseen ; or the ex- 
act amount not known. These accounts are gene- 
rally kept by some one or more clerks in the Trea- 



OPFICES OF GENERAL GOVERNMENT. 221 

sury Department, who takes a receipt in their own 
names ; and accounts quarterly for the same at the 
Treasury Department. 

This department is, by the act of congress of the 
15th of May, 1820, invested with extraordinary 
powers for the recovery of money due the United 
States, which may in any way be withheld by the 
officers collecting it, before being paid into the 
Treasury. 

Warrants of distress can be issued against prin- 
cipals and sureties in default ; but the Judges of 
the United States have also extensive discretionary 
powers for mitigating the severity of the law, 
where it bears unjustly hard. 

The office of Secretary of the Treasury was 
created by an act of congress, 2d September, 1789. 

Levi Woodbury, secretary, 6000 dolls. ; Mac- 
Clintock Young, chief clerk, 2000 dolls. ; James 
L. Anthony, 1760 dolls; Samuel M. M'Kean, 
1760 dolls. ; Richard Ela, lOOo dolls. ; Thomas 
Dungan, 1540 dolls. ; John M'Ginnis, jr. 1540 
dolls.; Gilbert Rodman, 1540 dolls.; WiUiam M. 
Gouge, 1540 dolls.; Charles Dummer, 1540 dolls.; 
Cyrus S. Jacobs, 1265 dolls.; Thomas G. Brad- 
ford, 1265 dolls.; Alexander Nisbet, 1200 dolls.; 
John N. Lovejoy, jr. 1200 dolls.; J. H. Smoot, 
1000 dolls.; W'ilham Gulager, 1000 dolls ; Abner 
C. Smith, 1000 dolls, — Messengers, Charles Petit, 
840 dolls.; Thomas C. Wells, 780 dolls.; John P. 
Pepper, superintendent, 5()0 dolls. — Wm. C. God- 
dard, 400 dolls.; Edward Ourand, 400 dolls.; Wil- 
liam Hilbus, 400 dolls. ; and James W. Shields, 
watchmen, 400 dolls. 

19* 



222 OFFICES OF GENERAL GOVERNMENT. 

North Executive Office, West of the Presi- 
dent's House. — (Paymaster-general's Office.) Na- 
than Towson, paymaster-general, 2500 dolls. ; Na- 
thaniel Frye, chief clerk, 1700 dolls.; William 
Rich, 1100 dolls ; William D. Beall, 1100 dolls,— 
Mes senger,Jacob Brodbeck, 700 dolls. 

Second Auditor'' s Office. — The duty of the 
second auditor, William B. Lewis, is to receive 
and examine all accounts relating to the pay and 
clothing of the army, the subsistence of officers, 
bounties, and premiums, military and hospital 
stores, and the contingent expenses of the War 
Department. He examines the accounts, certifies 
the balances, and transmits the accounts with the 
vouchers and certificate to the second comptroller, 
for his examination and decision. 

William B. Lewis, auditor, 3000 dolls.; James 
Eakin, chief clerk, 1700 dolls.; John Wells, jr., 
1400 dolls.; John Peters, 1400 dolls.; Samuel 
Lewis, 1150 dolls.; Richard M. Boyer, 1150 dolls.; 
Robert Ellis, 1150 dolls.; William Mechlin, 1150 
dolls.; Leonard Mackall, 1150 dolls.; Peter Brodv, 
1150 dolls.; O. P.Hall, 1000 dolls.; John F Polk, 
1000 dolls.; R. T. Queer, 1000 dolls.; William 
Ford, 1000 dolls.; E. W. Lewis, 1000 dolls.; C. 
W. Forrest, 800 dolls. — William Lloyd, messen- 
ger, 700 dolls. 

Pension Office. — James L. Edwards, commis- 
sioner, 3000 dolls.; George W. Crump, chief 
clerk, 1600 dolls.; William S. Allison, 1400 dolls.; 
French S. Evans, 1400 dolls.; Henry H. Sylves- 
ter, 1400 dolls.; John D. Wilson, 1400 dolls ; 
Vinal Luce, 1400 dolls.; Seth Elliott, 1000 dolls.; 
William M. Stewart, 1000 dolls. ; Daniel Brown, 



OFFICES OF GENERAL GOVERNMENT. 223 

1000 dolls.; Daniel D. Addison, 1000 dolls.; 
Daniel Boyd, 1000 dolls.; George Taylor, 1000 
dolls.; Reuben Burdine, 1000 dolls.; Dennis Mac- 
Curdy, 1000 dolls.; — — Smallwood, 1000 dolls.; 
Algernon Taylor, 800 dolls.; Joseph Rowan, pen- 
sion office, 800 dolls. — Messengers, Charles Hibbs, 
540 dolls.; John Brannan, 480 dolls.; Thomas 
Harkness, 480 dolls. 

Subsistence Department, — Brevet Brig. Gene- 
ral, George Gibson, commissary-general of subsist- 
ence. Major James H. Hook, and Capt. Thomas 
Lendrum. — Charles G. Wilcox, chief clerk, 1600 
dolls.; Richard Gott, 1200 dolls.; William J. 
Smith, 1000 dolls.; Daniel Agro A. Buck, 1600 
dolls.; Townsend Waugh, lOOO dolls.; Basil H. 
Waring, 1000 dolls.; William Broom, transferred 
to 4th auditor's office, 1000 dolls. 

QuartevM: cisterns Department. — The Quarter- 
master General, is stationed at the city of Wash- 
ington, and under the direction of the Secretary of 
War. He is charged with the military and ad- 
ministrative details of his department. He has a 
complete administrative control of all thie officers 
belonging to his department as well as those ap- 
pointed to act therein, or make disbursements on 
account thereof; officers of regiments and corps, 
are also subject to a like control by the Quarter- 
master General, in regard to every thing, relating 
to barracks and quarters, and to the accountabilities 
for supplies of the Quartermaster's Department, 
as well as for those of the Purchasing Department. 

General Thomas S. Jesup, Quartermaster-gene- 
ral ; William A. Gordon, chief clerk, 1600 dolls.;' 
Levin Belt, 1200 dolls.; James Maguire, 1000 



224 OFFICES or general government. 

dolls.; L. A. Fleury, 1000 dolls.; H. B. Blagrove, 
1000 dolls.; A. W. Goodrich, 1000 dolls.— John 
Keith, messenger, 500 dolls. 

Pay Department. — The paymaster-general is 
stationed at the seat of government ; he is charged 
with the military responsibilities of the department 
in all its details. The subordinate offices being 
confined exclusively to the disbursement of public 
money, are subject only to the order of the secre- 
tary of war and the paymaster-general, except 
that they are liable to arrest by the senior officer of 
the department or command, to which tliey may 
be arranged for the regular payment of the troops. 
There are in the pay department, besides the pay- 
master-general fourteen paymasters, authorized by 
the act of March 2d, 1821. 

Medical Department. — The surgeon-general is 
stationed at the city of Washington, he is the di- 
rector and immediate accounting officer of the me- 
dical department. He issues all orders and in- 
structions relating to the professicmal duties of the 
officers of the medical staff; and calls for and re- 
ceives such reports and returns from them as may 
be requisite to the performance of his several du- 
ties. Thomas Lavvson, surgeon-general, 2500 
dolls. ; Richmond Johnson, clerk, 1150 dolls. 

War Department. — The war department as or- 
ganized under the present constitution was created 
by act of 7th August, 1789. The secretary of 
war superintends every branch of the military de- 
partment, and is a member of the cabinet. He 
holds his office at the will of the President. 



OFFICES OF GENERAL GOVERNMENT. 225 

To this department belongs the direction and 
government of the army in all its diversified rela- 
tions ; the purchase and preservation of the arms 
and munitions of war ; the erection of all fortifica- 
tions ; the execution of all topographical surveys ; 
the payment of pensions for military services ; the 
surveying and leasing the national lead mines ; and 
the direction under the law of intercourse with 
Indian tribes. 

Joel R. Poinsett, secretary, salary 6000 dolls. ; 
Captain Samuel Cooper, chief clerk, 2000 dolls. ; 
*John T. Cochrane, clerk, 1600 dolls. ; * Nathan 
Rice, do. 1400 dolls; * Charles Calvert, do. 1400 
dolls ; t William Robison, do. 1000 dolls ; f Andrew 
Balmaine, do. 1000 dolls ; t John Potts, do. 800 
dolls. — t William Markward, messenger, 650 dolls ; 
tFrancisDatcheo, credited assistant, do. 400 dolls. 

Watchmen of the buildings occupied by the war 
department. — Reuben Gilder, salary, 500 dolls ; 
Fielder Dorsitt, 500 dolls ; John Robison, 500 
dolls; William Douglass, 500 dpUs. 

Jittorney- General. — The office of attorney-gene- 
ral of the United States, was created by the act of 
24th September, 1789. It is the duty of the at- 
torney-general to prosecute and conduct all suits in 
the supreme court, in which the United States is 
concerned, and to give his advice and opinion upon 

* By an act of the late session of congress these are 
allowed till the close of the next session, an increase of 
compensation to the amount of ten per centum, on their 
stated salaries. 

f By the same act these are allowed twenty per 
centum, for the same period. 



226 OFFICES OF GENERAL GOVERNMENT. 

questions of law when required by the President, 
or when requested by the heads of any of the de- 
partments, touching any matters that may concern 
their departments. 

The attorney-general is appointed by the presi- 
dent and senate, and is a member of the cabinet. — 
Benjamin F. Butler, 4000 dolls. ; Richard Key 
Watts, clerk, 800 dolls. 

Engineer Department. — The chief of the corps 
of engineers is stationed at the seat of government, 
and directs and regulates the duties of the corps of 
engineers, and those also of such of the topogra- 
phical engineers as may be attached to the engineer 
department ; he is also the inspector of the military 
academy, and is charged with its correspondence. 

Brevet Brig. Gen. Charles Gratiot, corps of en- 
gineers, chief engineer ; Lieut, R. E. Lee, of the 
corps of engineers, Lieut. G. W. Cullum, do. as- 
sistants. — Benjamin Fowler, clerk, 1150 dolls. ; J. 
C. Wilson, do. 1000 dolls. ; James Eveleth, 800 
dolls. 

Topographical Bureau. — Brevet Lieut. Col. 
John J. Abert, topographical engineers' superin- 
tendent ; Thomson, first clerk ; Cheffely, assistant. 

Ordnance Department. — George Bomford, Col. 
of ordnance ; William H. Bell, Capt. of ordnance ; 
WiUiam Rid'dale, chief clerk, 1200 dolls. ; Anthony 
G. Glynn, clerk, 1150 dolls.; Morris Adler, do. 
1000 dolls. ; George Welsh, do. 1000 dolls. ; Sa- 
muel Rainey, do. 1000 dolls. ; Nathan W. Fales, 
do. 1000 dolls.; Francis V.Yvonnet, do. 1000 dolls. 
William M. Dermott, do. 800 dolls. 

South Executive Office^ west of the President's 
House. — (Fourth Auditor's office — first story). It 



OFFICES OF GENERAL GOVERNMENT. 227 

is made the duty of the fourth auditor to receive 
and examine all accounts accruing in the navy de- 
partment ; and after having examined the same and 
certifying the balances, transmit the accounts with 
the vouchers and certificate to the second comptrol- 
ler for his examination and decision. — James C. 
Pickett, auditor ; 3000 dolls. ; Thomas H. Gilles, 
1700 dolls. ; Joseph Mechlin, 1400 dolls. ; Wil- 
liam Hunter, 1400 dolls.; Robert Getty, 1150 
dolls. ; George Gilliss, 1 1 50 dolls. George M. Head, 
1 150 dolls. ; Robert M'Gill, 1150 dolls. ; John B. 
SulUvan, 1000 dolls. ; Alexander H. Mechlin, 1000 
dolls. ; H. C. Willams, 1000 dolls. ; Alexander U. 
Kyle, 1000 dolls. ; Nirnrod Strickland, 1000 dolls. ; 
William Browry, 1000 dolls. — Messenger, Sam'l 
Grubb, 700 dolls. 

Third Auditor's Office.— The duty of the third 
auditor, (at present Peter Hagner,) is to receive all 
accounts relative to the subsistence of the army, 
the quartermaster's department, and generally all 
accounts of the war department, except those re- 
ferred to the second auditor. After examining the 
accounts, he certifies the balances, and transmits 
the accounts with the vouchers and certificate, to 
the second comptroller for his decision. Accord- 
ing to the system of general regulations for the 
army, 14th sec. of the law of the 2d of March, 
1821, a part of the duties of the former paymaster- 
general has been assigned to the third auditor, 
chiefly that part relating to the disbursement of pub- 
lic money. — Peter Hagner, auditor, 3000 dolls. ; J. 
Thomson, 1700 dolls.; Charles Vinsen, 1400 
dolls.; John Abbot, 1400 dolls.; Richard Burgess, 
1400 dolls. ; Robert Reed, 1400 dolls. ; Henry 



228 OFFICES OF (3KNERAL GOVERNMENT. 

Whitcroft, MOO dolls.; Beniiot (Elements, 1150 
(lolls. ; lioiiry C. MuUhews, 1 150 dolls. ; 'JMiomas 
(Juiilon, 1100 dolls.; Homy ]{:vndall, 1150 dolls. ; 
Samuel S. Kind, 1 150 dolls.; iVidcou Vcmrv., 1150 
dolls.; ,1. n. Kirkpatri(;k, 1 150 dolls. ; IJcnjamiii 
M. Miller, 1150 d(»lls. ; John Harry, 1150 dolls. ; 
Levcn Jones. 115U dolls.; Anthony Hyde, 1000 
dolls.; Thomas H. Hanson, 1000 dolls. ; Daniel 
B. Davidson, 1000 dolls.; Samuel 8. Whiting, 
1000 dolls. ; John K. Hagner, 1000 dolls. ; Silas 
IT. Hill, 800 dolls. ; D. 1$. Davidson, 800 dolls. ; 
Thomas Dove, 750 dolls. ; Richard Dove, 350 
dolls. 

Navy Department. — (second story.) It is made 
the duty of the secretary of the navy, to issue all 
orders to the navy of the United States ; and to su- 
perintend «r(>nerally all concerns of die navy depart- 
ment. A Board ol JNavy Commissioners was insti- 
tuted by an act of conj^rcss of the 7th February, 
1815, to aid in the discharire of the duties relating 
to the navy. The secretary is nominated by the 
President and conlirmcd by the senate, and is a 
m(Mnber of the cabinet council. He holds his of- 
fice at the will of the President. — Mahlon Dicker- 
son, secretary, 0000 dolls. ; John Boyle, cHief 
clerk, '2000 dolls. ; John D. Simms, 1000 dolls. ; 
1-iauristons B. Hardin, 1400 dolls.; Abraham H. 
Quincy, I 100 dolls.; Moses Poor, 1000 dolls.; 
Burden M. Voorhees, 1000 dolls. ; Henry Stark, 
1000 dolls.; N. Burk Boyle, 800 dolls. 

Pension and Ilospilal Funds. — Thomas L. 
Ragsdale, 1000 dolls.; Nathan Eaton, messenger; 
700 dolls. ; Lindsay Muse, assistant, 360 dolls. ; 



OFFICES OF CENFRAL GOVERNMENT. 229 

Routhey Parker, superintendent of the navy build- 
in^rs, 250 dolls. 

Hoard of Cornmis.noncrff for the Navy. — T«aac 
Chauricey, president, 35U0 'dolls. ; (yhjiries Mor- 
ris, 3500 dolls. ; A. S. Wadsworlh, 3.^)00 dolls. ; 
Charles W. (ioldsboroupjh, secretary, 2000 dolls. 

Qhrkn in the Navy CommiHHioner' h OJJiee. — 
William G. Rid^dey chief clerk, 1600 dolls. ; .John 
Green, 1150 dolls. ; .Tames llutton, 1000 dolls. ; 
John H. Reily, 1000 dolls. ; E. J. Hume, 1000 
dolls.; Joseph P. M'Corkle, .Jr. 1000 dolls. ; C. 
Schwartz, draughtsman, 1000 dolls. ; Richard El- 
liott, messenger, 700 dolls. 

PVatchmen in the War and Navy Depart- 
ments. — .John Ignatius Lucas, 500 dolls. ; Thomas 
Bingey, 500 dolls. 

Second Comptroller\f Ojfiee. — The dtity of the 
second Comptroller, is to examine all accounts 
passed by the second, third, and fourth Auditors, 
and to certify tlie balances to the Head of the De- 
partment in which the expenditures have occurred. 
He countersigns all warrants drawn by tlie Secre- 
taries of the War and Navy Departments, legally 
drawn, lie also prescribes the modes to those 
department's in which their accf)unls are to be kept, 
nrjd the ofTicial forms to be used in disbursing the 
public money, lie also superintends the preserva- 
tion of the public accounts of these departments, 
subject to his revision. In the office of the second 
comptroller, a record is kept of the accounts set- 
tled, showing the balance due to, and from the 
United States. The second comptroller revises 
and certifies the accounts stated in the offices of 
20 



230 PATENT OFFICE. 

the second, third, and fourtli Auditors, and he de- 
cides on all appeals from the decisions of those 
Auditors, and his decision is final, except relief is 
granted by Congress. 

Albion K. Parris, second comptroller, 3000 
dolls. ; John N. Moulder, rliicf clerk, 1700 dolls. ; 
Jonathan Scaver, clerk, MOO dolls.; John Davis, 
1400 dolls; James M. Cutis, 1150 dolls.; James 
L. Cathcart, 1150 dolls.; Joseph Manahan, 1150 
dolls ; George D. Abbott, 1000 dolls.; Tobias Pur- 
rington, 10()0 dolls.; Sauniel Whitcomb, jr., 800 
dolls. ; Henry Forrest, 800 dolls. ; John Sessford, 
messenger, 700 dollars. 



PATENT OFFICE. 

To Patentees and /h\s}f!;nees of Patents. — The 
records and models in the Patent-office, having all 
been destroyed by fire, on the 15th of December 
last, it is important, both to the public and to indi- 
viduals interested in patents, that an immediate 
eflbrt be made for their restoration. 

Congress, by an act passed 3d of March, 1837^ 
has made provision for this purpose ; and a Board 
of Commissioners has been established, to aid the 
commissioner of patents in accomplishing the 
object. 

The late law provides, that any persons holding, 
patents or assignments, which had been recorded 
prior to the 15lli day of December last, may have 
the same recorded anew, without charge, on pre- 



PATENT OFFICE. 231 

senting or transmiting the requisite papers to this 
ofTice ; and it is further provided, that, after the 1st 
day of June, 1837, no patent, issued prior to the 
15th day of December, 1836, nor any assignment, 
executed and recorded prior to that date, shall be 
received in evidence in any court of the United 
States, until the same shall have been recorded 
anew. Patentees, assignees, and other persons 
holding an interest in patents, and possessing 
papers which have been heretofore recorded, are 
requested to transmit the same to this office without 
delay. 

It is equally for the public interest tliat the ex- 
pired, as well as the unexpired patents should be 
restored ; and it is hoped, therefore, that the 
holders of the former will not, from apathy or the 
want of personal interest, fail to comply with the 
request herein made. Persons holding unexpired 
patents or assignments have the strongest induce- 
ment to comply promptly with the law, both with 
a view to replace the evidence of their legal rights, 
and to oppose applications for patents which, if 
granted, would interfere with those already issued. 
It should be recollected by those whose inventions 
have not proved sources of profit hitherto, that, by 
subsequent improvements, they may find their 
labours fully compensated. 

Numerous authenticated copies of patents (often 
including drawings) have been furnished as evi- 
dence in litigated cases. From these, as well as 
from the original patents, the records may be re- 
stored. It is, therefore, earnestly desired that all 
persons who may be in possession of such papers, 



232 PATENT OFFICE. 

will transmit the same to the patent-office. Origi- 
nal patents (if in existence) are required to be sent 
for record. The authenticated copies mentioned 
in the act, are those only which have been made, 
and duly authenticated, at the patent-office. 

Clerks of the United States courts are required, 
by the first section of the above named act, to 
transmit, as soon as may be, to the commissioner 
of the patent-office, a statement of all the authenti- 
cated copies of patents, descriptions, specifications, 
and drawings of inventions and discoveries, made 
and executed prior to the aforesaid 15th day of 
December, which may be found on the files of 
their offices ; and also to make out and transmit to 
said commissioner, for record as aforesaid, a certi- 
fied copy of every such patent, description, spe- 
cification, or drawing which shall be specialljr 
required by said commissioner. 

Papers forwarded by mail will be preserved in 
rooms which are fire-proof; and, as soon as re- 
corded, returned by mail, free of expense. 

In all cases where patents were issued, and a 
single drawing left at the patent-office, and none 
transmitted with the patent, the patentee, or other 
person interested, is requested to furnish a new 
drawing, for which a reasonable compensation will, 
if required, be made ; provided the drawing is suffi- 
ciently well executed for a record. And when a 
good drawing cannot, with convenience, be fur- 
nished, it is desired that such a sketch may accom- 
pany the specification as will enable the draughts- 
man of the oflice to supply the deficiency. 

In order to obtain compensation for restoring a 



PATENT OFFICE. 233 

drawing, and to give validity thereto, the inventor 
or other holder of the right must make oath or 
affirmation to the following effect ; which oath or 
affirmation must be attached to the drawing, and 
may be taken before any magistrate authorized to 
administer oaths : 
County of 



State of 5 

On this day of , 183 , before 

the subscriber, a , personally appeared 

, of , and made solemn oath, or 

affirmation, that he is interested, as inventor, <fec., 

in a patent for , issued to , and 

dated ; and the above drawings, with the 

references thereto, are, as he verily believes, a true 
delineation of the invention, as described in the 
said letters-patent. A. B. 

In addition to the provision made for the restora- 
tion of the records, congress has also made an 
appropriation for obtaining such of the models as 
may appear to the commissioners appointed for that 
purpose, most useful and important. The appro- 
priation will be sufficient to restore a part only of 
the models destroyed ; and hence the necessity of 
making a selection ; such a selection, it is evident, 
cannot be made without much examination and con- 
siderable delay, nor until many of the specifications 
are returned for record. In the mean time, it must 
be obvious to patentees, and others holding patent 
rights, that they have a deep interest in exhibiting 
their models in the patent-office. It is confidently 
hoped, therefore, that they will promptly furnisli 
the same, without waiting for the action of the 
20* 



234 PATENT OFFICE. 

commissioners on their particular cases ; this has 
already been done in many instances, agreeably to 
the dictates of interest and patriotism ; and nume- 
rous offers have been made to furnish models, pro- 
vided they can be transported at the expense of the 
office. In all cases where models are restored 
without compensation, they will be labelled ac- 
cordingly. Each patentee, or person interested, is 
requested to inform the office whether he will fur- 
nish a model ; and, if any compensation is required 
for the same, to state the price at which it will be 
delivered at the most convenient depot, and the 
material of which it will be composed ; the model 
should be neatly made, and exhibit a correct repre- 
sentation of what is claimed by the patentee. The 
name of the inventor, and the date and object of 
the patent, should be affixed to the model in a dura- 
ble manner ; and the model should be packed in 
good shipping order. To facilitate the conveyance 
of models to the office, the following agents have 
been appointed to receive, and transmit the same, 
free of charge : — 

Agents appointed to receive and transmit 
Models. — Daniel P. Drowne, collector at Ports- 
mouth, N. H.; John Anderson, do. at Portland, Me.; 
Archibald W. Hyde, do. at Burlington, Vt. ; Wal- 
ter R. Danforth, do. at Providence, R. I. ; David 
Henshaw, do. at Boston, Mass. ; Wm. Connor, 
surveyor at Hartford, Conn. ; Samuel Swartwout, 
collector at New York ; James N. Barker, do. at 
Philadelphia, Pa. ; Wm. Frick, do. at Baltimore, 
Md. ; Thos. Nelson, do. at Richmond, Va. ; Jas. 
R. Pringle, do. at Charleston, S. C. ; Abraham B. 



PATENT OFFICE. 235 

Fannin, do. at Savannah, Georgia ; Jas. W. Breed- 
love, do. at New Orleans, La. ; Andrew Mack, 
do. at Detroit, Michigan ; Pierre A. Barker, do. at 
Buffalo Creek, N. Y. ; Nathaniel Ranney, sur- 
veyor at St. Louis, Missouri ; Samuel Starkweather, 
collector at Cleaveland, Ohio ; John Clark, sur 
veyor at Pittsburg, Pa. ; Robt. Punchon, do. at 
Cincinnati, Ohio ; Edw. S. Camp, do. at Louis- 
ville, Ky. 

|C?" Should models be shipped by any collector, 
the customary freight will be paid by the patent- 
office. 

All communications should be addressed to the 
commissioner of patents. 

Henry L. Ellsworth, 

CornmissW. of Patents, 

The destruction of the Patent-office, the Ameri- 
can Museum of the Arts, is an event which calls forth 
the sympathy of all friends to the prosperity of the 
United Stales and the useful arts ; and elicits some 
remarks on its rise and progress, till its final de- 
struction by fire on the morning of the 15th inst. 

In the year 1790, a law was passed agreeably to 
the constitution, " To promote the progress of sci- 
ence and useful arts, by securing, for limited times, 
to authors and inventors, the exclusive right to their 
respective writings and discoveries." (Sec. 8, par. 
8, Con. U. S.) Under this law the secretary of 
state, secretary of war, and attorney-general, or 
any two of them, are, on application, to grant pa- 
tents for such inventions as they should deem " suf- 
ficiently useful and important.^^ This board had 



236 PATENT OFFICE. 

therefore, by law, a power to refuse patents. But 
these duties being so extensive and laborious, and 
requiring much study and scientific acquirements, 
could not easily be fulfilled by gentlemen who had 
other and important stations to fill ; a law was 
therefore passed in 1793, making it the duty of the 
secretary of state to issue patents, subject to the 
revision of the attorney-general. Under this law, 
between the years 1793 and 1836, above 9,000 
patents were issued, requiring no other conditions 
in granting them than that the patent fees were 
paid, the oath to the invention made, and other 
forms of office complied with ; but there was no 
power in the department to refuse a patent when 
these were fulfilled ; and, of course, many useless 
inventions and infringements on public and private 
rights were patented, to the great injury of the 
public ; and the evil was every day increasing, till 
the passage of the late law of 1836. 

Now, although many of the evils complained of 
in the law of 1793, were cured or prevented by 
this new law, yet it is not altogether free from 
evils. An examiner is appointed by this to ex- 
amine and report to the commissioner of patents as 
to the novelty and use of an invention in the patent 
applied for. This is too extensive a power to be 
entrusted to any individual ; for he may be inexpe- 
rienced, of very limited knowledge and acquire- 
ments, and may often do much injustice to appli- 
cants without knowing it. It is true, by this law 
the aggrieved party may appeal to three other 
examiners, but must pay all the expenses of the 
appeal ; and these will amount to about forty dol- 



PATENT OFFICE. 237 

lars per diem. Who, then, amongst the numerous 
poor applicants who think themselves aggrieved, 
will venture on an appeal ? many of whom may- 
have travelled above three hundred miles, and 
some carrying their models on their backs. This 
system, therefore, amounts to a total denial of jus- 
tice to the poor but ingenious man, and the present 
law ought to be altered, for it is much more unfair 
than that of 1790. No man can conduct himself 
more justly and correctly in his office than the 
present commissioner ; but the evil is radical, and 
can only be cured by a complete change in the 
law. There ought to be at least two or three men 
of science, well acquainted with mechanics, over 
whom the commissioner should preside, and ex- 
amine and fairly decide on all applications for 
patents. Mr. Ruggles, in his report to the senate, 
very justly observes: "That the duty of examina^ 
tion and investigation, necessary to a first decision 
at the patent-office, is an important one, and will 
call for the exercise and application of much sci- 
entific acquirement, and knowledge of the existing 
state of the arts in all their branches, not only in 
our own, but in other countries." 

When we look upon the dreadful ruin spread 
around by the destruction of the archives of the 
patent-office, the most solemn feehng must over- 
whelm the mind. There lie the ashes of the 
records of more than ten thousand inventions, with 
their beautiful models and drawings. There lie, 
also, smouldering in the same heap of ruins, the 
elegant and classic correspondence of Dr. Thornton, 
with most of the ingenious aud scientific men of 



238 PATENT LAWS. 

this country and of Europe, for upwards of twenty- 
three years. 

To remedy as far as possible tliis appalling 
disaster, and prevent a recurrence, it is recom- 
mended that a complete list of all the patents that 
have been granted by the United States since 1790, 
till the present time, be published by Government, 
(which the writer of this article could furnish,) 
arranged analogically and chronologically as regards 
the subjects, and alphabetically as regards the 
names of the patentees. Also, a complete copy of 
all the patent laws, with the legal decisions which 
have taken place under them. This work would 
make two volumes 8vo. of about 400 or 500 pages 
each, and be like a dictionary, of ready and easy 
reference ; and in no respect like the imperfect and 
unintelligible list published, some years since, by 
congress. 

It is suggested that the specifications of all the 
patents hereafter granted, be printed and distributed 
like the laws of the United States. This system 
would not only prevent them from being lost and 
impaired, but would give much general and useful 
information, and would prevent many impositions 
on the public. W. E. 



PATENT LAWS. 

An Act to promote the progress of useful arts, and 
to repeal all acts and parts of acts heretofore made 
for that purpose. 

Be, it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representa- 
tives of the United States of America in Congress as- 



PATENT LAWS. 239 

semhkdy That there shall be established and attached to 
the department of state, an office to be denominated the 
patent office ; the chief officer of which shall be called 
the commissioner of patents, to be appointed by the 
President, by and with the advice and consent of the 
senate, whose duty it shall be, under the direction of the 
secretary of state, to superintend, execute, and perform 
all such acts and thing-s touching- and respecting the 
granting- and issuing- of patents for new and useful dis- 
coveries, inventions, and improvements, as are herein 
provided for, or shall hereafter be, by law, directed to 
be done and performed, and shall have the charg-e and 
custody of all the books, records, papers, models, ma- 
chines, and all other thing-s belong-ing- to said office. 
And said commissioner shall receive the same compen- 
sation as is allowed by law to the commissioner of the 
Indian Department, and shall be entitled to send and 
receive letters and packag-es by mail, relating- to the 
business of the office, free of postag-e. 

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted. That there shall be 
in said office an inferior officer, to be appointed by the 
said principal officer, with the approval of the secretary 
of state, to receive an annual salary of seventeen hun- 
dred dollars, and to be called the chief clerk of the 
patent-office, who, in all cases during- the necessary 
absence of the commissioner, or when the said principal 
office shall become vacant, shall have the charge and 
custody of the seal, and of the records, books, papers, 
machines, models, and all other things belonging to the 
said office, and shall perform the duties of commissioner 
during such vacancy. And the said commissioner may 
also, with like approval, appoint an examining clerk at 
an annual salary of fifteen hundred dollars, two other 
clerks at twelve hundred dollars each, one of whom 
shall be a competent draughtsman ; one other clerk at 
one thousand dollars ; a machinist at twelve hundred 
and fifty dollars ; and a messenger at seven hundred dol- 
lars. And said commissioner, clerks, and every other 
person appointed and employed in said office, shall be 



240 PATENT LAWS. 

disqualified and interdicted from acquiring or taking", 
except by inheritance, during the period for which they 
shall hold their appointments, respectively, any right or 
interest, directly or indirectly, in any patent for an inven- 
tion or discovery which has been, or may hereafter be, 
granted. 

Sec. 3. And be it further enacted. That the said princi- 
pal officer, and every other person to be appointed in the 
said office, shall before he enters upon the duties of his 
office or appointment, make oath or affirmation truly 
and faithfully to execute the trust committed to him. 
And the said commissioner and the chief clerk shall 
also, before entering upon their duties, severally give 
bonds, with sureties, to the treasurer of the U. States?, 
the former in the sum of ten thousand dollars, and the 
latter in the sum of five thousand dollars, with condition 
to render a true and faithful account to him, or his suc- 
cessor in office, quarterly, of all moneys which shall be 
by them respectively received for duties on patents, and 
for copies of records and drawings, and all other moneys 
received by virtue of said office. 

Sec. 4. And be it further enacted. That the said com- 
missioner shall cause a seal to be made and provided for 
the said office, with such device as the President of the 
United States shall approve ; and copies of any records, 
books, papers, or drawings, belonging to the said office, 
under the signature of the said commissioner, or, when 
the office shall be vacant, under the signature of the 
chief clerk, when the said seal affixed, shall be compe- 
tent evidence in all cases in which the original records, 
books, papers, or drawings, could be evidence. And 
any person making application therefor may have certi- 
fied copies of the records, drawings, and other papers 
deposited in said office, on paying, for the written copies, 
the sum of ten cents for every page of one hundred 
words ; and for copies of drawings, the reasonable ex- 
pense of making the same. 

Sec. 5. And be it further enacted. That all patents is- 
suing from said office shall be issued in the name of the 



PATENT LAWS. 241 

United States, and under the seal of said office, and be 
sig-ned by the secretary of state, and countersigned by 
the commissioner of said office, and shall be recorded, 
tog-ether with the descriptions, specifications, and draw- 
ing's, in the said office, in books to be kept for that pur- 
pose. Every such patent shall contain a short descrip- 
tion or title of the invention or discovery, correctly 
indicating its nature and desig-n, and in its terms, grant 
to the applicant or applicants, his or their heirs, adminis- 
trators, executors, or assig-ns, for a term not exceeding- 
fourteen years, the full and exclusive right and liberty of 
making, using, and vending to others to be used, the 
said invention or discovery, referring to the specifica- 
tions for the particulars thereof^ a copy of which shall be 
annexed to the patent, specifying what the patentee 
claims as his invention or discovery. 

Sec. 6. And be it further enacted. That any person or 
persons having discovered or invented any new and use- 
ful art, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, 
or any new and useful improvement on any art, machine, 
manufacture, or composition of matter, not known or 
used by others before his or their discovery or invention 
thereof, and not, at the time of his application for a 
patent, in public use or on sale, with his consent or 
allowance, as the inventor or discoverer, and shall desire 
to obtain an exclusive property therein, may make appli- 
cation in writing to the commissioner of patents, express- 
ing such desire; and the commissioner, on due proceed- 
ings had, may grant a patent therefor. But before any 
inventor shall receive a patent for any such new inven- 
tion or discovery, he shall deliver a written description 
of his invention or discovery, and of the manner and 
process of making, constructing, using, and compound- 
ing the same, in such full, clear, and exact terms, avoid- 
ing unnecessary prolixity, as to enable any person skilled 
in the art or science to which it appertains, or with 
which it is most nearly connected, to make, construct, 
compound, and use the same ; and in case of any ma- 
chine, he shall fully explain the principle and the several 
21 



242 PATENT LAWS. 

modes in which he has contemplated the apphcation of 
that principle or character by which it may be distin- 
g-viished from other inventions ; and shall particularly 
specify and point out the part, improvement, or combi- 
nation, which he claims as his own iiivention or dis- 
covery. He shall, furthermore, accompany the whole 
with a drawing", or drawings, and written references, 
where the nature of the case admits of drawings 5 or 
with specimens of ingredients, and of the composition 
of matter, sufficient in quantity for the purpose of experi- 
ment, where the invention or discovery is of a composi- 
tion of matter ; which descriptions and drawings, signed 
by the inventor and attested by two witnesses, shall be 
filed in the patent office ; and he shall, moreover, fur- 
nish a model of his invention in all cases which admit of 
a representation by model, of a convenient size to ex- 
hibit advantageously its several parts. The applicant 
shall also make oath or affirmation that he does verily 
believe that he is the original and first inventor or dis- 
coverer of the art, machine, composition, or improve- 
ment, for which he solicits a patent, and that he does not 
know or believe that the same was ever before known 
or used ^ and also of what country he is a citizen ; which 
oath or affirmation may be made before any person 
authorized by law to administer oaths. 

Sec. 7 . And be it farther enacted. That, on the filing 
of any such application, description, and specification, 
and the payment of the duty hereinafter provided, the 
commissioner shall make, or cause to be made, an ex- 
amination of the alleged new invention or discovery ; 
and if, on any such examination, it shall not appear to 
the commissioner that the same had been invented or 
discovered by any other person in this country prior to 
the alleged invention or discovery thereof by the appli- 
cant, or that it had been patented or described in any 
printed publication in this or any foreign country, or had 
been in public use or on sale with the applicant's consent 
or allowance prior to the application, if the commissioner 
shall deem it to be sufficiently useful and important, it 



PATENT LAWS. 243 

shall be his duty to issue a patent therefor. But when- 
ever, on such examination, it shall appear to the com- 
missioner that the applicant was not the orig-inal and first 
inventor or discoverer thereof, or that any part of that 
which is claimed as new had before been invented or 
discovered, or patented, or described in any pnnted 
publication in this or any foreign country, as aforesaid, 
or that the description is defective and insufficient, he 
shall notify the applicant thereof, giving- him, briefly, 
such information and references as may be useful in 
judging of the propriety of renewing his application, or 
of altering his specification to embrace only that part of 
the invention or discovery which is new. In every such 
case, if the applicant shall elect to withdraw his appli- 
cation, relinquishing his claim to the model, he shall be 
entitled to receive back twenty dollars, part of the duty 
required by this act, on filing a notice in writing of such 
election in the patent-office, a copy of which, certified 
by the commissioner, shall be a sufficient warrant to the 
treasurer for paying back to the said applicant the said 
sum of twenty dollars. But if the applicant in such 
case shall persist in his claim for a patent, with or with- 
out any alteration of his specification, he shall be re- 
quired to make oath or affirmation anew, in manner as 
aforesaid. And if the specification and claim shall not 
have been so modified as, in the opinion of the commis- 
sioner, shall entitle the applicant to a patent, he may, on 
appeal, and upon request in writing, liave the decision 
of a Board of IGxaminers, to be composed of three disin- 
terested persons, who sliall be appointed for that pur- 
pose by tiie secretary of state, one of whom at least to 
be selected, if practicable and convenient, for his know- 
ledge and skill in the particular art, manufacture, or 
branch of science, to which the alleged invention apper- 
tains ; who shall be under oath or affirmation for the 
faithful and impartial performance of the duty imposed 
upon them by said appointment. Said Board shall be 
furnished with a certificate in writing of the opinion and 
decision of the commissioner, stating the particular 



244 PATENT LAWS. 

grounds of his objection, and the part or parts of the 
invention which he considers as not entitled to be pa- 
tented. And the said board shall give reasonable notice 
to the applicant, as well as to the commissioner, of the 
time and place of their meeting, that they may have an 
opportunity of furnishing them with such facts and evi- 
dence as they may deem necessary to a just decision ; 
and it shall be the duty of the commissioner to furnish to 
the board of examiners such information as he may 
possess relative to the matter under their consideration. 
And on examination and consideration of the matter by 
such board, it shall be in their power, or of a majority 
of them, to reverse the decision of the commissioner, 
either in whole or in part ; and their opinion being cer- 
tified to the commissioner, he shall be governed thereby, 
in the further proceedings to be had on such applica- 
cation : Provided, however. That before a board shall be 
instituted in any such case, the applicant shall pay to the 
credit of the treasury, as provided in the ninth section 
of this act, the sum of twenty -five dollars, and each of 
said persons so appointed shall be entitled to receive for 
his services in each case a sum not exceeding ten dol- 
lars, to be determined and paid by the commissioner out 
of any moneys in his hands, which shall be in full com- 
pensation to the persons who may be so appointed, for 
their examination and certificate as aforesaid. 

Sec. 8. And be it further enacted. That whenever an 
application shall be made for a patent, which, in the 
opinion of the commissioner, would interfere with any 
other patent for which an application may be pending, 
or with any unexpired patent which shall have been 
granted, it shall be the duty of the commissioner to give 
notice thereof to such applicants, or patentees, as the 
case may be ; and if either shall be dissatisfied with the 
decision of the commissioner on the question of priority 
of right or invention, on a hearing thereof he may ap- 
peal from such decision, on the like terms and condi- 
tions as are provided in the precc ding section of this 
act ; and the like proceedings shall be had, to determine 



PATENT LAWS. 245 

which, or whether either of the applicants is entitled to 
receive a patent as prayed for. But nothing- in this act 
contained shall be construed to deprive an orig^inal and 
true inventor of the rig-ht to a patent for his invention, 
by reason of his having- previously taken out letters- 
patent therefor in a foreign country, and the same having 
been published, at any time within six months next pre- 
ceding- the filing- of his specification and drawing's. And 
whenever the applicant shall request it, the patent shall 
take date from the time of the filing- of the specification 
and drawing-s, not, however, exceeding- six months prior 
to the actual issuing- of the patent ; and on like request, 
and the payment of the duty herein required by any 
applicant, his specification and drawings shall be filed in 
the secret archives of the office until he shall furnish the 
model and the patent be issued, not exceeding- the term 
of one year ; the applicant being- entitled to notice of 
interfering- applications. 

Sec. 9. dnd he it further enacted^ That before any ap- 
plication for a patent shall be considered by the commis- 
sioner as aforesaid, the applicant shall pay into the trea- 
sury of the United States, or in the patent-office, or 
into any of the deposite banks, to the credit of the trea- 
sury, if he be a citizen of the United States, or an alien 
and shall have been resident in the United States for one 
year next preceding-, and shall have made oath of his 
intention to become a citizen thereof, the sum of thirty 
dollars ; if a subject of the king- of Great Britain, the 
sum of five hundred dollars ; and all other persons, the 
sum of three hundred dollars ; for which payment, du- 
plicate receipts shall be taken, one of which to be filed 
in the office of the treas»n-er. And the moneys received 
into the treasury under this act shall constitute a fund for 
the payment of the salaries of the officers and clerks 
herein provided for, and all other expenses of the patent 
office, and to be called the patent fund. 

Sec. 10. And be it further enacted. That where any 
person hath made, or shall have made, any new inven- 
tion, discovery, or improvement, on account of which 
21 * 



246 PATENT LAWS* 

a patent might by virtue of this act be granted, and such 
person shall die before any patent shall be granted 
therefor, the right of applying for and obtaining such 
patent shall devolve on the executor or administrator of 
such person, in trust for the heirs at law of the deceased, 
in case he shall have died intestate ; but if otherwise, 
then in trust for his devisees, in as full and ample man- 
ner, and under the same conditions, limitations, and 
restrictions, as the same was held, or might have been 
claimed or enjoyed by such person in his or her lifetime ; 
and when application for a patent shall be made by such 
legal representatives, the oath or affirmation provided 
in the sixth section of this act shall be so varied as to be 
applicable to them. 

Sec. 11. And be it further enacted^ That every patent 
shall be assignable in law, either as to the whole interest, 
or any undivided part thereof, by any instrument in 
writing ,• which assignment, and also every grant and 
conveyance of the exclusive right under any patent, to 
make and use, and to grant to others to make and use, 
the thing patented within and throughout any specified 
part or portion of the United States, shall be recorded 
in the patent-office within three months from the execu- 
tion thereof, for which the assignee or grantee shall pay 
to the commissioner the sum of three dollars. 

Sec. 12. And be it further enacted^ That any citizen 
of the United States, or alien, who shall have been resi- 
dent in the United States one year next preceding, and 
shall have made oath of his intention to become a citizen 
thereof, who shall have invented any new art, machine, 
or improvement thereof, and shall desire further time to 
mature the same, may, on paying to the credit of the 
ti'easury, in manner as provided in the ninth section of 
this act, the sum of twenty dollars, file in the patent- 
office a caveat, setting forth the design and purpose 
thereof, and its principal and distinguishing characteris- 
tics, and praying protection of his right, till he shall 
have matured his invention 5 which sum of twenty-dol- 
lars, in case the person filing such caveat shall after- 



Patent laws. 247 

wards take out a patent for the invention therein men- 
tioned, shall be considered a part of the sum herein 
required for the same ; and such caveat shall be filed in 
the confidential archives of the office, and preserved in 
secrecy. And if application shall be made by any other 
person within one year from the time of filing such 
caveat, for a patent of any invention with which it may 
in any respect interfere, it shall be the duty of the com- 
missioner to deposite the description, specifications, 
drawings, and model, in the confidential archives of the 
office, and to give notice, by mail, to the person filing 
the caveat, of such application, who shall, within three 
months after receiving the notice, if he would avail him- 
self of the benefit of his caveat, file his description, spe- 
cifications, drawings, and model ; and if, in the opinion 
of the commissioner, the specifications of claim interfere 
with each other, like proceedings may be had in all 
respects as are in this act provided in tlie case of inter- 
fering applications : Provided, however. That no opinion 
or decision of any Board of Examiners, under the provi- 
sions of this act, shall preclude any person interested in 
favour of or against the validity of any patent which has 
been, or may hereafter be granted, from the right to 
contest the same in any judicial court, in any action in 
which its validity may come in question. 

Sec. 13. And be it further enacted. That whenever 
any patent which has heretofore been granted, or which 
shall hereafter be granted, shall be inoperative or inva- 
lid, by reason of a defective or insufficient description 
or specification, or by reason of the patentee claiming 
in his specification as his own invention, more than he 
had, or shall have, a right to claim as new ; if the error 
has, or shall have arisen by inadvertency, accident, or 
mistake, and without any fraudulent or deceptive inten- 
tion, it shall be lawful for the commissioner, upon the 
suiTender to him of such patent, and the payment of the 
further duty of fifteen dollars, to cause a new patent to 
be issued to the said inventor, for the same invention. 



248 PATENT LAWS. 

for the residue of the period then unexpired, for which 
the original patent was granted, in accordance with the 
patentee's corrected description and specification. And 
in case of his death, or any assignment by him made of 
the original patent, a similar right shall vest in his exe- 
cutors, administrators, or assignees. And the patent so 
reissued, together with the corrected description and 
specification, shall have the same effect and operation 
in law, on the trial of all actions hereafter commenced 
for causes subsequently accruing, as though the same 
had been originally filed in such corrected form, before 
the issuing of the original patent. And whenever the 
original patentee shall be desirous of adding the descrip- 
tion and specification of any new improvement of the 
original invention or discovery which shall have been 
invented or discovered by him subsequent to the date 
of his patent, he may, like proceedings being had in all 
respects as in the case of original applications, and on 
the payment of fifteen dollars, as herein before provided, 
have the same annexed to the original description and 
specification ; and the commissioner shall certify, on the 
margin of such annexed description and specification, 
the time of its being annexed and recorded ; and the 
same shall thereafter have the same effect in law, to all 
intents and purposes, as though it had been embraced 
in the original description and specification. 

Sec. 14. .ind be it further enacted, That whenever, 
in any action for damages for making, using, or selling 
the thing whereof the exclusive right is secured by any- 
patent heretofore granted, or by any patent which may 
hereafter be granted, a verdict shall be rendered for the 
plaintiff in such action, it shall be in the power of the 
court to render judgment for any sum above the amount 
found by such verdict as the actual damages sustained 
by tlie plaintiff, not exceeding three times the amount 
thereof, according to the circumstances of the case, 
with costs ; and such damages may be recovered by 
action on the case, in any court of competent jurisdic- 



PATENT LAWS. 249 

tion, to be brought in the name or names of the person 
or persons interested, whether as patentee, assignees, or 
as grantees of the exclusive right within and throughout 
a specified part of the United States. 

Sec. 15. And be it further enadedy That the defendant 
in any such action shall be permitted to plead the gene- 
ral issue, and to give this act and any special matter in 
evidence, of which notice in writing may have been 
given to the plaintiff or his attorney, thirty days before 
trial, tending to prove that the description and specifi- 
cation filed by plaintiff, does not contain the whole truth 
relative to his invention or discovery, or that it contains 
more than is necessary to produce the described effect ; 
which concealment or addition shall fully appear to have 
been made for the purpose of deceiving the public, or 
that the patentee was not the original and first inventor 
©r discoverer of the thing patented, or of a substantial 
and material part thereof claimed as new, or that it had 
been described in some public work anterior to the sup- 
posed discovery thereof by the patentee, or had been in 
public use or on sale with the consent and allowance of 
the patentee before his application for a patent, or that 
he had surreptitiously or unjustly obtained the patent 
for that which was in fact invented or discovered by 
another, who was using reasonable diligence in adapting 
and perfecting the same ; or that the patentee, if an 
alien at the time the patent was granted, had failed and 
neglected, for the space of eigliteen months from the 
date of the patent, to put and continue on sale to the 
public, on reasonable terms, the invention or discoveiy 
for which the patent issued ; and whenever the defend- 
ant relies in his defence on the fact of a previous inven- 
tion, knowledge, or use of the thing patented, he shall 
state, in his notice of special matter, the names and 
places of residence of those whom he intends to prove 
to have possessed a prior knowledge of the thing, and 
where the same had been used ; in either of which cases, 
judgment shall be rendered for the defendant, with 
costs ; Provided, however. That whenever it shall satiar 



250 PATENT LAWS. 

factorily appear that the patentee, at the time of making; 
his appUcation for the patent, beheved himself to be the 
first inventor or discoverer of the thing- patented, the 
same shall not be held to be void on account of the 
invention or discovery, or any part thereof, having- been 
before known or used in any foreign country ; it not 
appearing that the same, or any substantial part thereof, 
had before been patented or described in any printed 
publication : And provided also, That whenever the 
plaintiff' shall fail to sustain his action on the g-round 
that in his specification of claim is embraced more than 
that of which he was the first inventor, if it shall appear 
that the defendant had used or violated any part of the 
invention justly and tridy specified and claimed as new, 
it shall be in the power of the court to adjudge and 
award, as to costs, as may appear to be just and equi- 
table. 

Sec. 16. And be it further enacted. That whenever 
there shall be two interfering patents, or whenever a 
patent on application shall have been refused on an 
adverse decision of a Board of Examiners, on the ground 
that the patent applied for, v/ould interfere with an 
unexpired patent previously granted, any person inte- 
rested in any such patent, either by assignment or other- 
wise in the one case, and any such applicant in the other 
case, may have remedy by bill in equity ; and the court 
having cognisance thereof, 6n notice to adverse parties 
and other due proceedings had, may adjudge and 
declare either the patents void in the whole or in part, 
or inoperative and invalid in any particular part or por- 
tion of the United States, according to the interest 
which the parties to such suit may possess in the patent 
or the inventions patented, and may also adjudge that 
such applicant is entitled, according to the principles 
and provisions of this act, to have and receive a patent 
for his invention, as specified in his claim, or for any 
part thereof, as tlie fact of priority of right or invention 
shall in any such case be made to appear. And such 
adjudication, if it be in favour of the right of such appli- 



PATENT LAWS. 251 

cant, shall authorize the commissioner to issue such 
patent, on his filing" a copy of the adjudication, and 
otherwise complying- with the requisitions of this act : 
Provided, hoivever, 'I'hat no such judgment or adjudica- 
tion shall affect the rights of any person, except the 
parties to the action, and those deriving title from or 
under them subsequent to the rendition of such judg- 
ment. 

Sec. 17. And he it further enacted. That all actions, 
suits, controversies, and cases arising under any law of 
the United States, granting- or confirming to inventors 
the exclusive right to their inventions or discoveries, 
shall be originally cognisable, as well in equity as at law, 
by the circuit courts of the United States, or any district 
court having the powers and jurisdiction of a circuit 
court ; which courts slvall have power, upon bill in 
equity filed by any party aggrieved, in any such case, to 
grant injunctions, according to the course and principles 
of courts of equity, to prevent the violation of the rights 
of any inventor as secured to him by any law of the 
United States, on such terms and conditions as said 
courts may deem reasonable : Provided, however. That 
from all judgments and decrees from any such court 
rendered in the premises, a writ of error or appeal, as 
the case may require, shall lie to the Supreme Court of 
the United States, in the same manner, and under the 
same circumstances, as is now provided by law in other 
judgments and decrees of circuit courts, and in all other 
cases in which the court shall deem it reasonable to 
allow the same. 

Sec. 18. And he it further enacted. That whenever 
any patentee of an invention or discovery shall desire an 
extension of his patent beyond the term of his limitation, 
he may make application therefor, in writing to the 
commissioner of the patent-office, setting forth the 
grounds thereof; and the commissioner shall, on the 
applicant's paying the sum of forty dollars to the credit 
of the Treasury, as in the case of an original application 
for a patent, cause to be published, in one or more of 



252 PATENT LAWS. 

the principal newspapers in the city of Washington, an^ 
in such other paper or papers as he may deem proper, 
published in the section of country most interested ad- 
versely to the extension of the patent, a notice of such 
application, and of the time and place, when and where 
the same will be considered, that any person may appear 
and show cause why the extension should not be granted. 
And the Secretary of State, the Commissioner of the 
Patent-office, and the Solicitor of the Treasury, shall 
constitute a board to hear and decide upon the evidence 
produced before them both, for and against the exten- 
sion, and shall sit for that purpose at the time and place 
designated in the pubhshed notice thereof. The pa- 
tentee shall furnish to said board, a statement in writing, 
under oath of the ascertained value of the invention, and 
of his receipts and expenditures, sufficiently in detail to 
exhibit a true and faithful account of loss and profit in 
any manner accruing to him, from and by reason of said 
invention. And if, upon a hearing of the matter, it shall 
appear to the full and entire satisfaction of said board, 
having due regard to the pubhc interest therein, that it 
is just and proper that the term of the patent should be 
extended, by reason of the patentee, without neglect or 
fault on his part, having failed to obtain, from the use 
and sale of his invention, a reasonable remuneration for 
the time, ing*enuity, and expense bestowed upon the 
same, and the introduction thereof into use, it shall be 
the duty of the commissioner to renew and extend the 
patent, by making a certificate thereon of such exten- 
sion, for the term of seven years from and after the 
expiration of the first term ; which certificate, with a 
certificate of said board of their judgment and opinion 
as aforesaid, shall be entered on record in the patent- 
office ; and thereupon the said patent shall have the 
same eflTect in law as though it had been originally 
granted for the term of twenty-one years. And the 
benefit of such renewal shall extend to assignees and 
grantees of the right to use the thing patented, to the 
extent of their respective interest therein : Provided, 



PATENT LAWS. 253 

however^ That no extension of a patent shall be granted 
after the expiration of the term for which it was origi- 
nally issued. 

Sec. 19. Aiid he it further enacted. That there shall 
be provided, for the use of said office, a library of scien- 
tific works and periodical publications, both foreign and 
American, calculated to facilitate the discharge of the 
duties hereby required of the chief officers therein, to 
be purchased under the direction of the Committee of 
the Library of Congress. And the sum of fifteen hun- 
dred dollars is hereby appropriated for that purpose, to 
be paid out of the patent fund. 

Sec. 20. And be it further enacted^ That it shall be 
the duty of the commissioner to cause to be classified 
and arranged, in sucli rooms or galleries as may be pro- 
vided for that purpose, in suitable cases, when necessary 
for their preservation, and in such manner as shall be 
conducive to a beneficial and favourable display thereof, 
the models and specimens of compositions and of fabrics, 
and other manufactures and works of art, patented or 
unpatented, which have been, or shall hereafter be, 
deposited in said office. And said rooms or galleries 
shall be kept open during suitable hours for public in- 
spection. 

Sec. 21. And he it further enacted, That all acts and 
parts of acts heretofore passed on this subject, be, and 
the same are hereby repealed : Provided, however. That 
all actions and processes in law or equity sued out prior 
to the passage of this act, may be prosecuted to final 
judgment and execution, in the same manner as though 
tliis act had not been passed, excepting and saving the 
application to any such action of the provisions of the 
fourteenth and fifteenth sections of this act, so far as 
they may be applicable thereto : And provided, also. 
That all applications or petitions for patents, pending at 
the time of the passage of this act, in cases where the 
duty has been paid, shall be proceeded with and acted 
22 



254 PATENT LAWS. 

on in the same manner as though filed after the passage 
thereof. James K. Polk, 

Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
W. R. Kino, 
President of the Senate pro tempore. 
Approved, July 4, 1836. Andkew Jackson. 

^n Act in addition to the act to promote the pro- 
gress of Science and useful Arts. 

Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representa- 
tives of the United States of .America in Congress asseni- 
bledy That any person who may be in possession of, or 
in any way interested in, any patent for an invention, 
discovery, or improvement, issued prior to the fifteenth 
day of December, in the year of our Lord, one thousand 
eight hundred and thirty -six, or in an assignment of any 
patent, or interest therein, executed and recorded prior 
to the said fifteenth day of December, may, without 
charge, on presentation or transmission thereof to the 
commissioner of patents, have the same recorded anew 
in the patent office, together with the descriptions, spe- 
cifications of claim and drawings annexed or belonging 
to the same ; and it shall be the duty of the commissioner 
to cause the same, or any authenticated copy of the ori- 
ginal record, specification, or drawing which he may 
obtain, to be transcribed and copied into books of record, 
to be kept for that purpose ; and wherever a drawing 
was not originally annexed to the patent and referred to 
in the specification any drawing produced as a delinea- 
tion of the invention, being- verified by oath in such 
manner as the commissioner shall require, may be trans- 
mitted and placed on file, or copied as aforesaid, toge- 
ther with the certificate of the oath ; or such drawings 
may be made in the office, under the direction of the 
commissioner, in conformity with the specification. And 
it shall be the duty of tlie commissioner to take such 
measures as may be advised and determined by the 



PATENT LAWS. 255 

Board of Commissioners provided for in the fourth sec- 
tion of this act, to obtain the patents, specifications, and 
copies aforesaid, for the purpose of being- so transcribed 
and recorded. And it shall be the duty of each of the 
several clerks of the judicial courts of the United States, 
to transmit, as soon as may be, to the commissioner of 
the patent-office, a statement of all the authenticated 
copies of patents, descriptions, specifications, and draw- 
ings of inventions and discoveries made and executed 
prior to the aforesaid fifteenth day of December, which 
may be found on the files of his office ; and also to make 
out and transmit to said commissioner, for record as afore- 
said, a certified copy of every such patent, description, 
specification, or drawing-, which shall be specially re- 
quired by said commissioner. 

Sec. 2 . And he it further enacted. That copies of such 
record and drawings, certified by the commissioner, or 
in his absence, by the chief clerk, shall be prima facie 
evidence of the particulars of the invention and of the 
patent granted therefor, in any judicial court of the 
United States, in all cases where copies of the original 
record or specification and drawings would be evidence, 
without proof of the loss of such originals ; and no patent 
issued prior to the aforesaid fifteenth day of December 
shall, after the first day of June next, be received in evi- 
dence in any of the said courts in behalf of the patentee 
or other person who shall be in possession of the same, 
unless it shall have been so recorded anew, and a draw- 
ing of the invention, if separate from the patent, verified 
as aforesaid, deposited in the patent office ; nor shall 
any written assignment of any such patent, executed and 
recorded prior to the said fifteenth day of December, be 
received in evidence in any of the said courts in behalf 
of the assignee or other person in possession thereof, 
until it shall have been so recorded anew. 

Sect. 3. And be it further enacted, That whenever it 
shall appear to the commissioner that any patent was 
destroyed by the burning of the patent office building 
on the aforesaid fifteenth day of December, or was other- 



256 PATENT LAWS. 

wise lost prior thereto, it shall be his duty, on applica- 
tion therefor by the patentee or other person interested 
therein, to issue a new patent for the same invention or 
discovery, bearing the date of the orig-inal patent, with 
his certificate thereon that it was made and issued pur- 
suant to the provisions of the third section of this act, 
and shall enter the same on record : Provided, hoivever. 
That before such patent shall be issued, the applicant 
therefor shall deposite in the patent office a duplicate, 
as near as may be, of the original model, drawings, and 
description, with specification of the invention or disco- 
veiy, verified by oath, as shall be required by the com- 
missioner ; and such patent and copies of such drawings 
and descriptions, duly certified, shall be admissible as 
evidence in an\- judicial court of the United States, and 
shall protect the rights of the patentee, his administra- 
tors, heirs, and assigns, to the extent only in which they 
would have been pi-otected by the original patent and 
specification. 

Sect. 4. dnd be it further e7iacfed. That it shall be the 
duty of the commissioner to procure a duplicate of such 
of the models destroyed by fire on the aforesaid fifteenth 
day of December, as were most valuable and interesting, 
and whose preservation would be important to the pub- 
lic ; and such as would be necessary to facilitate the just 
discharge of the duties imposed by law on the commis- 
sioner in issuing patents, and to protect the rights of the 
public and of patentees in patented inventions and im- 
provements : Provided, That a duplicate of such models 
may be obtained at a reasonable expense : .ind provided, 
ako, That the whole amount of expenditure for this pur- 
pose shall not exceed tlie sum of one hundred thousand 
dollars. And there shall be a temporary Board of Com- 
missioners, to be composed of the commissioner of the 
patent-office and two other persons to be appointed by 
the President, whose duty it shall be to consider and 
determine upon the best and most judicious mode of 
obtaining models of suitable construction ; and, also, to 
consider and determine what models may be procured 



PATENT LAWS. 257 

in pursuance of, and in accordance with, the provisions 
and limitations in this section contained. And said com- 
missioners may make and est iblish all such regulations, 
terms, and conditions, not inconsistent with law, as in 
their opinion may be proper and necessan.- to carry the 
provisions of this section into effect, according to its 
true intent. 

Sect. 5. And be it further enacted^ That, whenever a 
patent shall be returned for con-ection and reissue under 
the thirteenth section of the act to which this is addi- 
tional, and the patentee shall desire several patents to 
be issued for distinct and separate parts of the thing 
patented, he shall first pay, in manner and in addition 
to the sum provided by that act, the sum of thirty dol- 
lars for each additional patent so to be issued : Provided, 
however, That no patent made prior to the aforesaid 
fifteenth day of December, shall be corrected and reis- 
sued until a duplicate of the model and drawing of the 
thing as originally invented, verified by oath as shall be 
required by the commissioner, shall be deposited in the 
patent office. Nor shall any addition of an improve- 
ment be made to any patent heretofore granted, nor any 
new patent be issued for an improvement made in any 
machine, manufacture, or process, to the original in- 
ventor, assignee, or possessor, of a patent therefor, nor 
any disclaimer be admitted to record, until a duplicate 
model and drawing of the thing originally invented, 
verified as aforesaid, shall have been deposited in the 
patent-office, if the commissioner shall require the same ; 
nor shall any patent be granted for an invention, im- 
provement, or discovery, the model or drawing of which 
shall have been lost, until another model and drawing, if 
required by the commissioner, shall, in hke manner, be 
deposited in the patent-office. And in all such cases, as 
well as in those which may arise under the third section 
of this act, the question of compensation for such models 
and drawing, shall be subject to the judgment and de- 
cision of the commissioners provided for in the fourth 
22* 



258 PATENT LAWS. 

section, under the same limitations and restrictions as 
are therein prescribed. 

Sec. 6. Jind he it further enacted^ That any patent 
hereafter to be issued, may be made and issued to the 
assig-nee or assig-nees of the inventor or discoverer, the 
assignment thereof being first entered of record, and the 
apphcation therefor being duly made, and the specifica- 
tion duly sworn to by the inventor. And in all cases 
hereafter, the applicant for a patent shall be held to fur- 
nish duplicate drawings, whenever the case admits of 
drawings, one of which to be deposited in the office, and 
the other to be annexed to the patent, and considered a 
part of the specification. 

Sect. 7. ^nd he it further enacted. That, whenever any 
patentee shall have, through inadvertence, accident, or 
mistake, made his specification of claim too broad, claim- 
ing more than that of which he was the original or first 
inventor, some material and substantial part of the thing 
patented being truly and justly his own, any such pa- 
tentee, his administrators, executors, and assigns, whe- 
ther of the whole or of a sectional interest therein, may 
make disclaimer of such parts of the thing patented as 
the disclaimant shall not claim to hold by virtue of the 
patent or assignment, stating therein the extent of his 
interest 'in such patent ; which disclaimer shall be in 
writing, attested by one or more witnesses, and recorded 
in the patent-office, on payment by the person disclaim- 
ing, in manner as other patent duties are required by 
law to be paid, of the sum often dollars. And such dis- 
claimer shall thereafter be taken and considered as part 
of the original specification, to the extent of the interest 
which shall be possessed in the patent or right secured 
.thereby, by the disclaimant, and by those claiming by, 
or under him, subsequent to the record thereof. But no 
such disclaimer shall affect any action pending at the 
time of its being filed, except so far as may relate to the 
question of unreasonable neglect or delay in filing the 
same. 



PATENT LAWS. 259 

Sec. 8. And he it further enacted. That, whenever ap- 
plication shall be made to the commissioner for any ad- 
dition of a newly-discovered improvement to be made 
to an existing- patent, or whenever a patent shall be re- 
turned for correction and reissue, the specification of 
claim annexed to every such patent shall be subject to 
revision and restriction, in the same manner as are ori- 
ginal applications for patents ; the commissioner shall 
not add any such improvement to the patent in the one 
case, nor grant the reissue in the other case, until the 
applicant shall have entered a disclaimer, or altered his 
specification of claim in accordance with the decision of 
the commissioner ; and in all such cases, the applicant, 
if dissatisfied with such decision, shall have the same 
remedy, and be entitled to the benefit of the same pri- 
vileges and proceedings, as are provided by law in the 
case of original applications for patents. 

Sect. 9. And he it farther enacted, (any thing in the 
fifteenth section of the act, to which this is additional, 
to the contrary notwithstanding,) That whenever, by 
mistake, accident, or inadvertence, and without any 
wilful default or intent to defraud or mislead the public, 
any patentee shall have in his specification claimed to be 
the original and first inventor or discoverer of any mate- 
rial or substantial part of the thing patented, of which 
he was not the first and original inventor, and shall have 
no legal or just right to claim the same, in every such 
case the patent shall be deemed good and valid for so 
much of the invention or discovery as shall be truly and 
bona fide his own : Provided, It shall be a material and 
substantial part of the thing patented, and be definitely 
distinguishable from the other parts so claimed without 
right as aforesaid. And every such patentee, his execu- 
tors, administrators, and assigns, whether of a whole or 
of a sectional interest therein, shall be entitled to main- 
tain a suit at law or in equity on such patent for any 
infringement of such part of the invention or discovery 
as shall be bona fide his own as aforesaid, notwithstand- 
ing the specification may embrace more than he shall 



260 PATENT LAWS. 

have any legal right to claim. But, in every such case 
in which a judgment or verdict shall be rendered for the 
plaintiff, he shall not be entitled to recover costs against 
the defendant, unless he shall have entered at the patent- 
office, prior to the commencement of the suit, a dis- 
claimer of all that part of the thing patented which was 
so claimed without right : Provided^ however. That no 
person bringing any such suit shall be entitled to the 
benefits of the provisions contained in this section, who 
shall have unreasonably neglected or delayed to enter 
at the patent-office a disclaimer as aforesaid. 

Sect. 10. And be it further enacted. That the commis- 
sioner is hereby authorized and empowered to appoint 
agents in not exceeding twenty of the principal cities or 
towns in the United States, as may best accommodate 
the different sections of the country, for the purpose of 
receiving and forwarding to the patent-office all such 
models, specimens of ingredients and manufactures, as 
shall be intended to be patented or deposited therein, 
the transportation of the same to be chargeable to the 
patent fund. 

Sect. 11. And he it further enacted. That, instead of 
one examining clerk, as provided by the second section 
of the act to which this is additional, there shall be ap- 
pointed, in manner therein provided, two examining 
clerks, each to receive an annual salary of fifteen hun- 
dred dollars ; and, also, an additional copying clerk, at 
an annual salary of eight hundred dollars. And the 
commissioner is also authorized to employ, from time to 
time, as many temporary clerks as may be necessary to 
execute the copying and draughting required by the 
first section of this act, and to examine and compare the 
records with the originals, who shall receive not exceed- 
ing seven cents for every page of one hundred words, 
and for drawings and comparison of records with the 
originals, such reasonable compensation as shall be 
agreed upon or prescribed by the commissioner. 

Sect. 12. And be it further enacted. That, whenever 
the application of any foreigner for a patent shall be 



PATENT LAWS. 261 

rejected and withdrawn for want of novelty in the Inven- 
tion, pursuant to the seventh section of the act to which 
this is additional, the certificate thereof of the commis- 
sioner shall be a sufficient warrant to the Treasurer to 
pay back to such applicant two thirds of the duty he 
shall have paid into the Treasury on account of such ap- 
plication. 

Sec. 13, And he it further enacted. That in all cases in 
which an oath is required by this act, or by the act to 
which this is additional, if the person of whom it is re- 
quired shall be conscientiously scrupulous of taking" an 
oath, aflirmation may be substituted therefor. 

Sec. 14. And he it further enacted. That all moneys 
paid into the Treasury of the United States for patents, 
and for fees for copies furnished by the superintendent 
of the patent-office prior to the passag-e of the act to 
which this is additional, shall be carried to the credit of 
the patent fund created by said act : and the moneys 
constituting- said fund shall be, and the same are hereby, 
appropriated for the payment of the salaries of the offi- 
cers and clerks provided for by said act, and all other 
expenses of the patent-office, including all the expendi- 
tures provided for by this act ; and, also, for such other 
purposes as are, or may be hereafter specially provided 
for by law. And the commissioner is hereby authorized 
to draw upon said fund, from time to time, for such sums 
as shall be necessary to carry into effect the provisions 
of this act, g-overned, however, by the several limitations 
herein contained. And it shall be his duty to lay before 
congress, in the month of January, annually, a detailed 
statement of the expenditures and payments by him 
made from said fund. And it shall also be his duty to 
lay before congress, in the month of January, annually, 
a list of all patents which siiall have been granted during 
the preceding year, designating, under proper heads, 
the subjects of such patents, and furnishing an alpha- 
betical list of the patentees, with their places of resi- 
dence; and he shall also furnish a list of all patents 
which shall have become public property during the 



262 COPY-RIGHTS. 

same period ; together with such other information of 
the state and condition of the patent-office, as may be 
useful to congress or to the pubhc. 
Approved^ March 3d, 1837. 



COPY-RIGHTS. 

An Act to amend the several acts respecting Copy-rights. 

Sec. 1. Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Re- 
presentatives of the United States of America in Congress 
assembled. That from and after the passing of this act, 
any person or persons, being a citizen or citizens of 
the United States, or resident therein, who shall be the 
author or authors of any book or books, map, chart, or 
musical composition, which may be now made or com- 
posed, and not printed and published, or shall hereafter 
be made or composed, or who shall invent, design, etch, 
engrave, work, or cause to be engraved, etched, or 
worked from his own design, any print or engraving, and 
the executors, administrators, or legal assigns of such 
person or persons, shall have the sole right and liberty 
of printing, reprinting, publishing, and vending such 
book or books, map, chart, musical composition, print, 
cut, or engraving, in whole or in part, for the term of 
twenty-eight years from the time of recording the title 
thereof, in the manner hereinafter directed. 

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That if, at th6 expi- 
ration of the aforesaid term of years, such author, in- 
ventor, designer, engraver, or any of them, where the 
work had been originally composed and made by more 
than one person, be still living, and a citizen or citizens 
of the United States, or resident therein, or being dead, 
shall have left a widow, or child, or children, either or 
all then living, the same exclusive right shall be con- 
tinued to such author, designer, or engraver; or, if dead, 
then to such widow and child, or children, for the further 



COPY-RIGHTS. 263 

term of fourteen years : Provided, That the title of the 
work so secured shall be a second time recorded, and 
all such other regulations as are herein required in regard 
to original copy-rights, be complied with in respect to 
such renewed copy-right, and that within six months 
before the expiration of the first term. 

Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That in all cases of 
renewal of copy-right under this act, such author or pro- 
prietor shall, within two months from the date of said 
renewal, cause a copy of the record thereof to be pub- 
lished in one or more of the newspapers printed in the 
United States, for the space of four weeks. 

Sec. 4. Jlndhe it further enacted. That no person shall 
be entitled to the benefit of this act, unless he shall, 
before publication, deposite a printed copy of the title 
of such book or books, map, chart, musical composition, 
print, cut, or engraving, in the clerk's office of the dis- 
trict court of the district wherein the author or proprie- 
tor shall reside, and the clerk of such court is hereby 
directed and required to record the same thereof forth- 
with, in a book to be kept for that purpose, in the words 
following (giving a copy of the title, under the seal of 
the court, to the said author or proprietor, whenever he 
shall require the same :) "District of to wit : 

Be it remembered, that on the day of 

Anno Domini, A B, of the said District, hath 

deposited in this office the title of a book, (map, chart, 
or otherwise, as the case may be,) the title of which is 
in the words following, to wit : (here insert the title,) 
the right whereof he claims as author, (or proprietor as 
the ca:se may be) in conformity with an act of Congress, 
entitled " An act to amend the several acts respecting 
copy-rights." C D, Clerk of the District." For which 
record, the clerk shall be entitled to receive, from the 
person claiming such right as aforesaid, fifty cents ; and 
the like sum for every copy, under seal, actually given 
to such person or his assigns. And the author or pro- 
prietor of any such book, map, chart, musical composi- 
tion, print, cut, or engraving, shall, within three months 



264 COPY-RIGHTS. 

from the publication of said book, map, chart, musical 
composition, print, cut, or eng-raving-, deliverer cause to 
be delivered a copy of the same to the clerk of said dis- 
trict. And it shall be the duty of the clerk of each dis- 
trict court, at least once in every year, to transmit a 
certified list of all such records of copy-right, including' 
the titles so recorded, and the dates of record, and also 
all the several copies of books or other works deposited 
in his office according" to this act, to the secretary of 
state, to be preserved in his office. 

Sec. 5. Jlnd be it further enacted^ That no person shall 
be entitled to the benefit of this act, unless he shall give 
information of copy-rig-ht being secured, by causing to 
be inserted, in the several copies of each and every edi- 
tion published during the term secured on the title page, 
or the page immediately following, if it be a book, or, if 
a map, chart, musical composition, print, cut, or engrav- 
ing, by causing to be impressed on the face thereof, or 
if a volume of maps, charts, music, or engravings, upon 
the title or frontispiece thereof, the following words, 
viz : " Entered according to act of Congress, in the 
year by A B, in the clerk's office of the dis- 

trict court of " (as the case may be.) 

Sec. 6. And be it further enacted. That if any other 
person or persons, from and after the recording the title 
of any book or books, according to this act, shall within 
the term or terms herein limited, print, publish, or im- 
port, or cause to be printed, published, or imported, 
any copy of such book, or books, without the consent 
of the person legally entitled to the copy-right thereof, 
first had and obtained in writing, signed in presence of 
two or more credible witnesses, or shall, knowing the 
same to be so printed or imported, publish, sell, or 
expose to sale, or cause to be published, sold, or exposed 
to sale, any copy of such book without such consent in 
writing ; then such offender shall forfeit every copy of 
such book to the person legally, at the time, entitled to 
the copy-right thereof; and shall also forfeit and pay 
fifty cents for every such sheet which may be found in 



COPY-UIGHTS. 265 

his possession, either printed or printing, published, im- 
ported, or exposed to sale, contrary to the intent of this 
act, the one moiety tliereof to such legal owner of the 
copy-right as aforesaid, and the other to the use of the 
United States, to be recovered by action of debt in any 
court having competent jurisdiction thereof. 

Sec. 7. And be it further enacted, That, if any person 
or persons, after the recording the title of any print, cut, 
or engraving, map, chart, or musical composition, ac- 
cording to the provisions of this act, shall, within the 
term or terms limited by this act, engrave, etch, or 
work, sell, or copy, or cause to be engraved, etched, 
worked, or sold, or copied, either on the whole, or by 
varying, adding to, or diminishing the main design, with 
intent to evade the law; or shall print or import for sale, 
or cause to be printed or imported for sale, any such 
map, chart, musical composition, print, cut, or engraving, 
or any parts thereof, without the consent of the pro- 
prietor or proprietors of the copy-right thereof, first 
obtained in writing, signed in the presence of two credi- 
ble witnesses; or, knowing the same to be so printed or 
imported without such consent, shall publish, sell, or 
expose to sale, or in any manner dispose of any such 
map, chart, musical composition, engraving, cut, or print, 
without such consent, as aforesaid ; then such offender 
or offenders shall forfeit the plate or plates on which 
such map, chart, musical composition, engraving, cut, or 
print, shall be copied, and also, all and every sheet thereof 
so copied or printed, as aforesaid, to the proprietor or 
proprietors of the copy-right thereof ; and shall further 
forfeit one dollar for every sheet of such map, chart, 
musical composition, print, cut, or engraving, which 
may be found in his or their possession, printed or pub- 
lished, or exposed to sale, contrary to the true intent 
and meaning of this act ; the one moiety thereof to the 
proprietor or proprietors, and the other moiety to the 
use of the United States, to be recovered in any court 
having competent jurisdiction thereof. 

Sec. 8. And he it further enacted, That nothing in this 
23 



266 COPY-RIGHTS. 



^n' 



act shall be construed to extend to prohibit the importa- 
tion or vending", printing, or publishing-, of any map, 
chart, book, musical composition, print or eng-raving, ■ 
written, composed, or made, by any person not being a \ 
citizen of the United States, nor resident within the 
jurisdiction thereof 

Sec 9. ,/lnd he it further enacted. That any person or 
persons, who shall print or publish any manuscript what- 
ever without the consent of tlie author or legal proprie- 
tor first obtained as aforesaid, (if such author or pro- 
prietor be a citizen of the United States, or resident 
therein,) shall be liable to suffer and pay to the author 
or proprietor, all damages occasioned by such injury, to 
be recovered by a special action on the case founded 
upon this act, in any court having cognisance thereof : 
and the several courts of the United States empowered 
to grant injunctions to prevent the violation of the rights 
of authors and inventors, are hereby empowered to 
grant injunctions, in like manner, according to the prin- 
ciples of equity, to restrain such publicatiun of any 
manuscript as aforesaid. 

Sec. 10. Jind he it further enacted. That, if any person 
or persons shall be sued or prosecuted, for any matter, 
act, or thing done under, or by virtue of this act, he or 
they may plead the general issue, and give the special 
matter in evidence. 

Sec. 11. Jind he it further enacted. That, if any person 
or persons, from and after the passing of this act, shall 
print or publish any book, map, chart, musical composi- 
tion, print, cut, or engraving, not having legally acquired 
the copy-right thereof, and shall insert or impress that 
the same hath been entered according to act of congress, 
or words purporting the same, every person so offend- 
ing shall forfeit and pay one hundred dollars ; one moiety 
thereof to the person who shall sue for the same, and 
the other to the use of the United States, to be reco- 
vered by action of debt, in any court or courts of record 
having cognisance thereof. 

Sec. 12. And he it further enacted. That, in all re- 



COPT-RIGIITS. 267 

coveries under this act, either for damages, forfeitures, 
or penalties, full costs shall be allowed thereon, any- 
thing in any former act to the contrary notwithstanding. 

Sec. 13. And he it further enacted. That no action or 
prosecution shall be maintained, in any case of forfeiture 
or penalty under this act, unless the same shall have 
been commenced within two years after the cause of 
action shall have arisen. 

Sec. 14. And he it further enacted. That the " Act 
for the encouragement of learning, by securing the 
copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and 
proprietors of such copies during the times therein men- 
tioned," passed May thirty-first, one thousand seven hun- 
dred and ninety, and the act supplementary thereto, 
passed April twenty-ninth, one thousand eight hundred 
and two, shall be, and the same are hereby, repealed ; 
saving, always, such rights as may have been obtained 
in conformity to their provisions. 

Sec. 15. And he it further enacted. That all and several 
of the provisions of this act, intended for the protection 
and security of copy-rights, and providing remedies, 
penalties, and forfeitures, in case of violation thereof, 
shall be held and construed to extend to the benefit of 
the legal proprietor or proprietors of each and every 
copy-right heretofore obtained, according to law, during 
the term thereof, in the same manner as if such copy- 
right had been entered and secured according to the 
directions of this act. 

Sec. 16. And he it farther enacted. That whenever a 
copy-right has been heretofore obtained by an author or 
authors, inventor, designer, or engraver, of any book, 
map, chart, print, cut, or engraving, or by a proprietor 
of the same : if such author or authors, or either of 
them, such inventor, designer, or engi-aver, be living at 
the passage of this act, then such author or authors, or 
the survivor of them, such inventor, engraver, or de- 
signer, shall continue to have the same exclusive right 
to his book, chart, map, print, cut, or engraving, witli the 
benefit of each and all the provisions of this act, for the 



268 POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT. 

security thereof, for such additional period of time as 
will, together with the time which shall have elapsed 
from the first entry of such copy-rig-ht, make up the 
term of twenty-eig-ht years, with the same rig'ht to his 
widow, child, or children, to renew the copy-right, at 
the expiration thereof, as is above provided in relation 
to copy-rights originally secured under this act. And if 
such author or authors, inventor, designer, or engraver, 
shall not be living at the passage of this act, then, his or 
their heirs, executors and administrators, shall be entitled 
to the like exclusive enjoyment of said copy-right, with 
the benefit of each and all the provisions of this act for 
the security thereof, for the period of twenty-eight years 
from the first entry of said copy-right, with the like pri- 
vilege of renewal to the widow, child, or children, of 
author or authors, designer, inventor, or engraver, as is 
provided in relation to copy-rights originally secured 
under this act : Provided, That this act shall not extend 
to any copy-right heretofore secured, the term of which 
has already expired. 



Organization of the Post-office Department, 
under the late Act of Congress. — The duties of 
the Department are divided and distributed as fol- 
lows, viz : — 

Contract Office, — To this office are assigned 
the duties of arranging the connections of the mails 
on all the mail routes in the United States, adjust- 
ing the speed of the mails, fixing on the frequency 
of their trips, and the mode of conveyance, making 
out advertisements for mail service, receiving the 
bids, preparing them for the action of the Post- 
master-general, preparing forms of contracts, send- 
ing them out, and seeing to their execution, ex- 



POST OFFICE DEFARTMENT. 269 

amining and preparing for decisions all propositions 
for changes in the mail service, fixing on the loca- 
tion of distributing post-offices, directing the course 
of distribution, providing and sending out mail- 
bags, and mail-locks and keys, and performing all 
acts appertaining to post-roads, which are neces- 
sary to put the mails in motion, and regulate their 
conveyance, speed, and connection. 

This office is under the superintendence of J. R. 
Hobbie, Esq., first assistant Postmaster-general, 
to whom all proposals for mail service, and all let- 
ters relating to the making or changing of contracts 
and schedules, to mail-bags, locks, and keys, and 
every thing else having reference to the duties of 
the office, should be directed. 

^Appointment Office. — To this office are assigned 
all questions which relate to the establishment and 
discontinuance of post-offices, changes of site and 
names, appointment and removal of postmasters, 
as also the giving of instructions to postmasters, 
furnishing them with blanks and the performance 
of all other acts necessary to prepare post-offices 
for the reception and proper management, and the 
distribution of the mails. 

This office is under the superintendence of 
Robert Johnston, Esq., second assistantPostmaster- 
general, to whom all letters relative to the subjects 
mentioned above, and all complaints against post- 
masters should be directed. 

Inspection Office. — To this office is assigned 
the duty of seeing that all postmasters at the begin- 
ning and end of routes, and such other as may be 
directed by the postmaster-general, keep and return 
23* 



270 POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT. 

registers of the arrival and departure of the mails, 
according to law ; of examining said registers, 
noting all delinquencies of contractors, and prepar- 
ing them for the action of the postmaster-general, 
receiving and preparing for decision, all special 
complaints against contractors ; and doing all other 
things which may be necessary to secure a faithful 
and exact performance of their contract service on 
the part of contractors. 

Postmaster General. — In addition to the gene- 
ral superintendence of these offices, the postmaster- 
general reserves to himself the special superintend- 
ence of the business connected with mail depreda- 
tions, the payment by postmasters of the balances 
due from them ; the bank accounts of the depart- 
ment ; of seeing that all postmasters render their 
quarterly accounts according to law, and the in- 
structions of the department ; the opening of dead 
letters, and the dispositions of the valuables found 
in them, and every other matter having relation to 
the administration of the department, not commit- 
ted to his three assistants. All letters relative to 
losses in the mail, or mail depredations ; all letters 
from postmasters enclosing certificates of deposite ; 
all letters of banks having reference to their ac- 
counts, and all other letters in relation to any mat- 
ters or things appertaining to the department which 
is not assigned by law to the Auditor, or by regu- 
lation to one of the assistants, should be addressed 
to the postmaster-general. 

Auditor's Office. — The late law established the 
office of Auditor of the Treasury for the post- 
office department. To this office the law assigns 



POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT. 271 

the duty of settling all accounts of the post-office 
department, whether of postmasters, contractors, 
or others. Charles K. Gardner, Esq. is the Audi- 
tor, and aH accounts against, or with the post-office 
department, (other than postmasters' quarterly ac- 
counts ; all letters in relation to accounts, all letters 
enclosing the receipts, all letters returning drafts 
on postmasters, and all other letters making claims, 
or explanatory of accounts, should be addressed to 
him. 

Rates of Postage on Letters. 

For any distance not exceeding 30 miles, 6 cts. 

Over 30, and not exceeding 80 do. 10 

Over 80, and not exceeding 150 do. 125 

Over 150, and not exceeding 400 do. 18| 

Over 400 miles, - - - - 25 

Newspaper Postage. 
For each newspaper, carried not over 100 

miles, - - - - 1 

Over 100 miles, . - - - l^ 

Magazines or pamphlets published periodi- 
cally, not exceeding 100 miles — per sheet H 
Over 100 miles, . - - do. 2| 
Pamphlets not published, not exceeding 

100 miles, - - - do. 4 

Over 100 miles, - - - do. 6 

Departure of Mails Ordinary. 
Eastern Mail, ^ 

Southern do. [- at 9 o'clock, P. M. 
Western do. J 



272 POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT. 

Arrival of Mails. 
Eastern Mail arrives at 11 o'clock, P. M. 

Southern, do. 5 do. 

Western, do. Ik do. A. M. 

Departure ef Express Mails. 
Eastern Mail departs, 2 o'clock, P. M. 

Southern, do. 4 do. 

Western, do. 62 do. 

Officers, Clerks, and Messengers in the Post-office Depart- 
ment, April 1837. 
Amos Kendall, postmaster-general, 6000 dolls. ; 
Selah R. Hobbie, first assistant, do. 2500 dolls. ; 
Robert Johnston, second do. 2500 dolls.; Daniel 
Coleman, third do. 2500 dolls. ; John Marron, 
chief clerk, 2000 dolls.; Wm. H. Dundas, principal 
clerk, contract office, 1600 dolls ; E. L. Childs, do. 
appointment office, 1600 dolls.; Joseph Perry, in- 
spection office, 1600 dolls.; Henry A. Burr, Topo- 
grapher, 1600 dolls. — Clerks^ Thomas B. Addison, 
1400 dolls.; William J. Cowan, 1400.; Armin 
Bolles, 1400 dolls.; F. L. Grammer, 1400 dolls.; 
A. N. Zezely, 1400 dolls.; Samuel Kendall, jr. 
1400 dolls.; Thomas B. Reiley, 1400 dolls.; David 
Smith, 1400 dolls.; Frederic Baldwin, 1400 dolls.; 
Cranstoun Laurie, 1400 dolls.; Alexander Dimitry, 
1400 dolls.; John Smith, 1400 dolls.; Robert A. 
Lacey, 1200 dolls.; A. Macrae, 1200 dolls.; John 
Barcroft, 1200 dolls.; N. Halter, 1200 dolls.; J., 
H. Wheat, 1200 dolls.; John Hunter, 1200 dolls.; 
Mathias Ross, 1200 dolls.; James Gooch, 1200 
dolls.; James H. Marr, 1200 dolls.: George S. 
Wharton, 1200 dolls.; Jesse E. Dow, 1200 dolls.; 
N. C. Towle, 1200 dolls.; George A. Dohrer, 



POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT. 273 

1200 dolls.; Josiah Dent, 1200 dolls.; R. K. 
Scott, 1200 dolls.; John Ferguson, 1200 dolls.; 
Jas. Caden, 1200 dolls.; Walter D. Addison, 1200 
dolls.; Alexander Kyle, 1200 dolls.; Drake Hob- 
ble, 1000 dolls.; Henry Johnson, 1000 dolls.; 
James Owner, jr., lOOO' dolls.; G. M. Kendall, 
1000 dolls.; Joseph T. Edelen 1000 dolls.; D.D.T. 
Leech, 1000 dolls.; C. A. Colt, 1000 dolls.; Tho's 
J. Williams, 1000 dolls.; Edward B. Sullivan, 
1000 dolls. 

Messenger. — Patrick Sweeny, 750 dolls., 20 
per cent, additional. 

Assistant Messengers — .Joshua Piles, 350 dolls.; 
Nathaniel Herbert, 350 dolls.; Thomas Wallace, 
350 dolls., 20 per cent, additional. 

List of Auditor and his Clerks in the Au- 
ditor's Office of the Treasury, for the Post-office 
Department y May, 1837. — Charles K. Gardner, 
auditor, 3000 dolls.; Peter G. Washington, chief 
clerk, 2000 dolls.— John Suter, 1600 dolls.; Wil- 
liam G. Elliott, 1600 dolls.; David Saunders, 1600 
dolls.; and Richard Dement, principal clerks, 1600 
dolls. — Nicholas Tastet, 1400 dolls.; Josiah F. 
Caldwell, 1400 dolls.; Thomas Arbuckle, 1400 
dolls.; Samuel Fitshugh, 1400 dolls.; William C. 
Lipscomb, 1400 dolls.; Presley Simpson, 1400 
dolls.; John G. Whitwell, 1400 dolls.; John F. 
Boone, 1400 dolls.; Thomas A. Scott, 1400 dolls.; 
J. A. M. Duncanson, 1400 dolls.; Albert G. Mer- 
riwether, 1400 dolls.; David Koones, 1200 dolls.; 
William J. Bronaugh, 1200 dolls.; James H. 
Doughty, 1200 dolls.; James Coolidge, 1200 dolls.; 
Lemuel I. Middleton, 1200 dolls.; William Ingle, 
1200 dolls.; Joseph Reynolds, 1200 dolls.; Perrin 



274 OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. 

Washington, 1200 dolls.; John Evans, 1200 dolls.; 
Joseph Carter, 1200 dolls.; Robert S. Wharton, 
1200 dolls.; John Thaw, 1200 dolls.; John P. 
Wheeler, 1200 dolls.; James Lawrenson, 1200 
dolls.; Lansing Tooker, 1200 dolls.; Giles Dyer, 
1200 dolls.; Samuel A. Houston, 1200 dolls.; 
George Dale, 1200 dolls.; Grafton D. Hanson, 
1200 dolls.; Lewis Welsh, 1200 dolls.; Wm. S. 
Darrell, 1200 dolls.; James M. Hanson, 1200 
dolls.; Fleet W. Smith, 1200 dolls.; John D. Sea- 
vy, 1000 dolls.; H. Dumas, 1000 dolls.; Joseph 
Quicksall, 1000 dolls.; Douglass Howard, 1000 
dolls.; Samuel M'Pherson, 1000 dolls.; Isaac H. 
Robbins, 1000 dolls.; Ezer EUis, 1000 dolls.; 
George Folts, 1000 dolls.; and J. H. Waugh, 
clerks, 1000 dolls. — W. W. Cox, messenger, 900 
dolls. — Samuel Harkness, assistant messenger, 420 
dolls. 

Office of Indian Affairs, — The office of Indian 
affairs was created by the act of July 9, 1832. 
The Commissioner of Indian affairs is appointed 
by the President and Senate, and is under the di- 
rection of the Secretary of War ; and agreeably to 
such regulations as the President may from time 
to time prescribe, has the direction and manage- 
ment of Indian affairs. — Elbert Herring, commis- 
sioner, 3000 dolls. ; Daniel Kurtz, chief clerk, 
1600 dolls.— William Ward, 1600 dolls.; D. A. 

A. Buck, 1600 dolls.; Hezekiah Miller, 1400 
dolls.; Townsend Waugh, 1400 dolls.; J. P. 
Maury, 1400 dolls.; Goddard, 1400 dolls.; 

B. H. Waring, 1200 dolls.; Samuel J. Potts, 1000 
dolls.; T. R. Cruttenden, 1000 dolls. ; C. Mix, 
1000 dolls. ; L. H. Berryman, 1000 dolls. ; 



PURCHASING DEPARTMENT, ETC. 275 

Brooks, clerks, 1000 dolls.— Charles Drane, mes- 
senger, 700 dolls. ; William Wilson, assistant do., 
500 dolls. 

Purchasing Department. — The Commissary- 
general of this department purchases, on the orders 
and estimates of the War Department, all clothing, 
tents, beds, and all other articles required for the 
service of the army of the United States, excepting 
only such as are ordered to be purchased by the 
Ordnance Quartermaster's Subsistence and Medical 
Departments.— C. Irvine, commissary-general of 
purchases, 3000 dolls. ; Timothy Banger, chief 
clerli, 1550 dolls.; William C. Irvine, clerk, 
1000 dolls.; George Canning, messenger, 700 
dolls.; Edward S. Fayssoax, Philadelphia, cap- 
tain of infantry; William Banger, clerk, 900 
dolls. ; Francis Brown, inspector .of cloth, 800 
dolls. ; John Githin, gives out clothing, &c., 800 
dolls. ; Matthew Grier, jr., inspector of bootees, 
&c., 720 dolls. 

Clotlmig Bureau.^i. Garland, brevet major of 
3d infantry ; William J. Smith, clerk, 950 dolls 

Head Quarters of the ^rmy.— The army of 
the United States is placed under the command of 
the major-general, who is usually styled the gene- 
ral-in-chief.— Major-general A. Macomb, general- 
in-chief ; Lieutenant John N. Macomb, A. D. C, 
4th artillery; Lieutenant Alexander S. Macomb, 
A. D. C, 2d dragoons.— S. Calvert Ford, clerk, 
1000 dolls. ; Joseph Williamson, messenger, 600 
dolls. 

Special Agents, superintending emigration. — 
Benjamin F. Curry, agent for the Cherokee, east, 



276 

2000 dolls. ; Wiley Thomson, do. Seminole agen- 
cy, 2000 dolls. ; Abel C. Pepper, do. Lansport, 
Ind., 2000 dolls. ; Thomas J. V. Owen, do. Chi- 
cago, 111., 2000 dolls. ; John B. Hogan, do. Creek 
Nation, 2000 dolls. ; Joel Yancey, assistant agent 
for the Seminole agency, 4 dolls, per day ; A. L. 
Danes, do. fort Leavenworth, 750 dolls. ; William 
Alley, do. fort Leavenworth, 600 dolls. ; George 
Fletcher, do. Quapaw, 720 dolls. ; P. M'Kinley, 
clerk for the Creek agency, 600 dolls. ; G. H, 
Currey, do. Cherokee, 3 dolls, per day ; William 
M. Davis, enrolling agent for the Cherokee agency, 
4 dolls, per day. 

Solicitor's Office. — The office of the Solicitor 
of the Treasury was created by the act of 29th May, 
1830. He superintends all the civil suits com- 
menced in the name of the United States, in all 
the courts, unfil they are carried up to the supreme 
court of the United States, when they come under 
the superintendence of the attorney-general. He 
instructs the district attorneys, marshals, and clerks 
in all matters and proceedings appertaining to those 
suits, and receives from them, after each term of 
court, reports of their situation and progress. He 
receives from collectors reports of custom house 
bonds put in suit, and of information, &c., directed 
by them. 

This officer also has charge of all lands and 
other property which have been, or shall be, as- 
signed to the United States in payment of debts, 
and all trusts created for the use of the United 
States, in payment of debts due them, and has 
power to sell and dispose of lands assigned or set 



CANALS. 277 

off to the United States in payment of debts, &c. — 
Virgil Maxcy, solicitor, 350U dolls ; Nicholas Har- 
piir, chief clerk, 1150 dolls.; Benjamin F. Plea- 
sants, 1150 dolls. ; Basil Waring, 1150 dolls. ; Jo- 
seph H. Waring, 500 dolls. 



CANALS. 

Washington City Canal.— In the year 1809, a company 
was incorporated to cut a canal through the city, to ex- 
tend from the deep navigation of the Eastern Branch river 
to the Potomac river, taking chiefly the course of the 
Tiber, as laid down on the plan of the city. In the hands 
of that company no benefit was derived from tlie very 
inefficient manner in which the work was performed. 
In the year 1831, the corporation were induced to pur- 
chase the right and interest of the canal company with 
a view of the introduction of the business of the Chesa- 
peake and Ohio Canal into the city, and extending the 
canal navigation through the city to the navigation of 
the Eastern Branch river. The work is now completed, 
and is connected with the Chesapeake and Ohio Can^ 
by a lock at Seventeenth street, west, where a spacious 
basin has been formed to receive the boats descending 
with the various products of the west, and which is con- 
nected by Goose Egg Island in the centre, the exube- 
rance of nature presents an object strikingly interesting. 
The canal and basin are walled with stone throughout 
the whole course, its width varies ; but from the Poto- 
mac to the Centre market-house, it is one hundred and 
fifty feet, in other sections its width varies from forty- 
five to eighty feet. Substantial bridges are erected over it, 
of such intersections of streets where they are required, 
at the elevation of sixteen feet from high water, to give 
the facilities of steamboat navigation. This work has 
cost the sum of two hundred and twentv-five thousand 
24 



278 CANALS. 

dollars, and when the coal and iron region become ac- 
cessible to the canal-boats, these heavy productions will 
pass through this canal for transhipment in the Eastern 
Branch to any part. 

Report of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company. — 
We have received the report made to the Chesapeake 
and Ohio Canal Company, by Mr. Washington, its Presi- 
dent, on Monday, the 12th inst. We have only room for 
the chief points of interest. 

The President states, that notwithstanding the great 
competition for labour, the works have been prosecuted 
with great vigour. 

The entire length of the line from the basin in George- 
town to Cumberland, is one hundred and eighty-four 
miles. This line is divided into three sections : — 

1st. From Georgetown to dam No. 5, seven miles above 
Williamsport, one hundred and seven miles and now 
navigable. 

2d. From dam No. 5 to dam No. 6, at the Great Ca- 
capon, twenty-seven miles, being the line now under 
contract and in progress. 

3d. From dam No. 6 to Cumberland, fifty miles, in- 
cluding the tunnel, deep cut at Old Town, and other 
works under contract. 

The directors have examined the entire route of the 
canal, and various improvements made to insure the 
safety and perpetuity of the work done. The embank- 
ments are acquiring, by time, greater solidity, and the 
president thinks they warrant the belief, that no further 
interruptions will take place, in consequence of breaches 
in the banks. 

The inner slope of the tow-path has been covered 
with broken stone to a considerable extent, and it is pro- 
posed to continue this mode throughout the entire route. 

The dredging machine in the Georgetown basin, has 
had great effect in removing the deposites of sand and 
gravel. 

The lift-locks near Edmond's Ferry and opposite 



CANALS. 279 

Goose creek in Loudon county, Virginia, are nearly- 
emptied and will soon be in operation. This secures a 
subscription of the state of Virg-inia, of §250,000 to the 
stock of the company and will draw into the canal the 
wealth of the great Loudon county. 

Good post and rail fences have been placed upon the 
river side of the tow-path wherever the canal and railroad 
come into juxtaposition, the Railroad Company paying 
tlie expense. 

It is proposed to erect a dam at the mouth of the She- 
nandoah at Harper's Ferry across the Potomac, in order 
to feed the canal with the combined waters of the two 
rivers. The Government is invited to participate in this 
work, as it would tend very much to improve their works 
at that place. 

The freshets have not injured the works, and have 
established perfect confidence in the strength of the 
various works upon the canal. 

The portion of the canal under contract, lies between 
dam No. 5 and Cacapon. The masonry of lock No. 45, 
half a mile above the dam, is completed, and for this 
short distance it is proposed to make a tow-path along 
the pool, which will be less expensive than a canal to be 
constructed in water more than twenty feet deep, and 
passing around projecting cliffs of rock. The two 
other sections immediately above the lock will be finished 
in a few days. Above this point, great difficulties exist. 
Immense cliffs rise to several hundred feet in height, 
and impede the progress of the canal. The water is 
twenty-two feet deep at their base. This has been par- 
tially filled up in order to make a tow-path. 

The Board complain of the heavy damages they have 
been obliged to pay for land, through which the canal 
was located. 

The Board is opposed to the construction of temporary 
means of navigation, notwithstanding the great desidera- 
tum of getting to the coal mines, and is determined to do 
no work except upon a durable basis. 



280 



CANALS. 



The great tunnel will soon be In an active state of 
progression. 

An ag-ent has been sent to England to procure miners 
whose arrival is daily expected. Bricks are now making 
to arch this work, and a patent machine is used to tem- 
per and mould them. 

In speaking of the coal, the report says, — ** John P. 
M'Brien, proprietor of the Antictum iron works, says, 
** One bushel of Cumberland (Alleghany) coal, is worth 
two of Richmond, or any other we have used." At 
Harper's Ferry it is considered, even in its natural state, 
equal to charcoal for the manufacture of the finest cut- 
lery. 

Dr. Jackson, of Boston, states that the capacity of the 
Alleghany coal to generate steam, is thirty-two per cent, 
greater than the Liverpool coal. 

" The time," says the report, " cannot be very remote 
when coal will be universally used, from the mountains 
to the Atlantic. 

Large bodies of anthracite coal have been discovered 
on Sleepy creek, in Virginia, at a few miles distance 
from its confluence with the Potomac, and one hundred 
and twenty miles above Georgetown. 

At the last session of Congress, an act was obtained, 
confirmatory of previous acts of the legislature of Mary- 
land and Virginia, by which the water power of the 
canal within the District of Columbia, could be applied 
to any purposes of manufacture. 

The report thinks that the time is near at hand when 
the district will be actively engaged in the various 
branches of manufactures. 

The lettings of the residue of the work, will be con- 
cluded before August next. 

Implicit reliance is placed on the high credit of Mary- 
land, and no fears are entertained on the score of diffi- 
culties in borrowing the money granted by the Legisla- 
ture to the canal, and to obtain which, commissioners 
have sailed for England. 



CANALS. 281 

All the energ-les of the company are to be directed to 
a faithful discharg-e of its high duties, and all efforts 
made to have the canal completed at as early a date as 
possible. 

Appendix to the Report. — Statement of money 
and credits in the hands of the Chesapeake and 
Ohio Canal Company, on the 1st day of June, 
1837. 
Cash in bank, per Treasurer's 

statement, - - $348,265 48 

Deduct requisition, No. 7460, 

not yet paid, - - - 4 50 

^ $ 348,269 98 

Stocks of the corporation of 

Washing-ton, - - $ 198,861 5o 
Stock of the corporation of 

Georeretown, - - 43,750 00 

242,611 53 

Due by stockholders, - $ 167,646 62 
Off for doubtful debts, 100,000 00 

267,646 62 



$ 858,528 13 
The total amount of money paid on account of that 
portion of the canal, above dam No. 5, is $805,528. 

Amount of tolls collected on the canal for the year 
preceding the 1st of June, 1837, is $24,177 54. 
John P. Ingle, 
Ckrk of the Chesapeake and Ohio Company. 

Office of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company. 
Washington^ June 1, 1837. 

General Mstract of the receipts and expenditures 
for the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company, 
to the 1st oil a e, 1837, and of liie receipts 
24* 



282 CANALS. 

and disbursements in the year ending on the 
3 1 St of May, 1837. 





Receipts in the 






years ending 31st 


Aggregate 




May, 1837. 


receipts. 


To capital stock, 


$ 5,134 57 


$3,816,528 38 


State of Maryland, 


750,000 00 


2,000,000 00 


Potomac Company, 






General account. 


• 


418 52 


Unclaimed dividends. 


366 30 


Tolls account, - 


. 


26,017 20 


Tolls, - - - 


21,257 35 


150,076 80 


Acquisition of lands. 


80 00 


1,109 91 


Engineer department. 


. 


2,500 20 


Construction of the canal. 


6,657 24 


Law expenses. 


58 40 


1,396 73 


Interest, 


- 8,474 72 


28,328 90 


Profit and loss. 


- 


4,069 71 


Baltimore and Ohio Rail- 




road Company, - 


- 2,723 00 


268,733 02 




$727,728 04 


$6,306,792 91 




Disbursements 






in the year end- 






ing May 31st, 


Aggregate ex- 




1837. 


penditure. 


By corporation of Wash- 




ing-ton, - 


- 


$175,000 00 


Do. Georgetown, 


- 


43,750 00 


Potomac Company, 


- 




General account. 


- - - 


373 65 


Unclaimed dividends, . - - 


5 55 


Tolls account, 


$ 7,897 12 


11,515 05 


Tolls account, - 


60 00 


1,222 38 


Acquisition of lands, 


52,954 66 


310,107 19 



CANALS, 


283 


Engineer department, 


36,188 90 


183,670 23 


Construction of the ca- 






nal, - - 


556,220 67 


4,924,757 79 


Law expenses, - 


477 50 


21,384 14 


Interest, - 


97,614 40 


148,519 93 


Conting-ent expenses, 


12,700 00 


34,670 21 


Pay of officers, - 


7,885 00 


66,097 52 


Pay of lock-keepers, 


3,657 96 


22,178 80 


Printing", - 


639 65 


8,017 61 


Postag-es, - 


52 77 


794 91 


Stationery, 


293 58 


2,525 49 


Western section. 


- 


4,037 08 



$776,642 21 $5,958,527 43 



By balances to the credit 
of the Chesapeake 
and Ohio Canal Com- 
pany, in Bank U. S., 
Washington, - $7,458 09 

Bank of Washington, 

do. - - 27,220 46 

Patriotic Bank, do. 122,444 22 

Bank of the Metropo- 
lis, do. - - 14,134 67 

Farmers and Mechanics 

Bank, Georgetown, 109,561 60 

Union Bank, do. 24,529 99 

Bank of Potomac, Alex- 
andria, - - 35,674 57 

Cumberland Bank of 

Alleghany, - 1,218 13 

Washington Co. Bank 

Williamsport, 6,016 98 

Bank of the Valley, 

Charlestown, - 12 09 



$348,270 80 



284 NAVY YARD. 

Deduct overdrawn in 
Leesburg", - - 5 33 



348,26^ 48 



$6,306,792 91 
Treasurer's Office, Ches. and Ohio Canal Company, 

Washington, June 1, 1837. 
E. E. Robert Barnard, Treas. 

On Monday, the 12th inst, at ten o'clock, A. M., the 
Board of Aldermen and Common Council, convened in 
their respective chambers, in the City Hall. 

The Boards were organized by the election of Charles 
Goldsborough, Esq., President, and William Brent, 
^Esq., Vice-president, and Erasmus Middleton, Secretary 
of the Board of Aldermen, and James Carbery, Esq., 
President, and Richard Barry, Secretary of the Board of 
Common Council. 

The oath was administered to the members, and the 
Board then adjourned over to the fourth Monday of 
June. ^ 



NAVY YARD. 

The Navy-yard of the city of Washington was organ- 
ized and established under an act of Congress, approved 
27th March, 1804, during the administration of Thomas 
Jeiferson, with whom it was a favourite object of patron- 
age. It contains within its limits about twenty-eight 
acres, and is enclosed on three sides by a high and strong 
brick wall ; the other side fronts on the Eastern branch, 
or Anacostia river. Its entrance is by an arched gate- 
way on the north, designed by the late Benjamin H. 
Latrobe. Inside of the yard are contained all the neces- 
sary buildings, machinery, and other apparatus for con- 
structing vessels of every description, erected agreeably 



NAVY YARD. 285 

to the most approved principles and modem improve- 
ments, with suitable building's for accommodating- the 
officers. It includes an armory, a rigging and sail-loft, 
a laboratory for preparing ordnance stores, an iron foun- 
dry, a brass and composition foundry, a chain-cable and 
camboose-shop, an anchor-shop, smithery and plumber- 
shop, a blockmaker-shop, a saw-mill, and a steam-en- 
gine of fourteen-horse power, to drive the various ma- 
chinery, two timber-sheds, on arched columns, a joiner- 
shop and mould-loft, two ship-houses, with ways, &c., 
for building and launching vessels of any size. There 
is also in the yard a fresh-water dock for seasoning tim- 
ber, &c. There were built at this yard the ships of war 
Wasp and Argus, the brig Viper, the frigate Essex, the 
Columbus, of seventy-four guns ; the frigates Potomac 
and Brandywine, each of forty -four guns ; the schooners 
Shark and Grampus, the sloop of war St. Louis, of 
twenty -four guns, and the fi-igate Columbia, of forty-four 
guns. 

The Navy-yard of this place can, in the great extent 
and completeness of its arrangements, vie with any es- 
tablishment of the kind in the United States for the con- 
struction and repair of vessels, for its anchors, chain- 
cables, cambooses, water-tank?, blocks, &c. In many 
respects, it surpasses almost every other yard in the 
Union. Why, then, is this yard suffered to fall into de- 
cay for want of national encouragement, and suffer so 
many honest, ingenious, and industrious mechanics to 
be reduced to beggary and want because the Govern- 
ment has failed to fulfil the just expectations of those 
who have vested their little all in houses and lots to 
meet the wants of those employed on the public works? 

There is no place in the Union better suited for a 
Naval School than the Navy-yard located in this city ; a 
school of the utmost importance to the country ; and a 
Naval Hospital, where the brave, generous, but thought- 
less tar may find a home and shelter in the winter of 
age. 

It is very probable that it will not be long ere the 



286 WASHINGTON LIBRARY COMPANY, ETC, 

whole system of naval warfare will be chang-ed. The 
ing-enious Mr. R. L. Stevens, of Hoboken, has invented 
a shot which is hollow, and is filled with some kind of 
fulminating- powder, which is ig-nited by the compression 
of air when it strikes the sides of a vessel, and, on its 
explosion, as has been proved by experiment, will tear 
all to atoms ! This system, when perfected, will super- 
sede the use of first rate men-of-war ; for two shots from 
a sloop of war would as easily destroy a one-hundred- 
gun-ship as a g'un-boat. Sloops of war would, therefore, 
be the class of vessels most required 5 and our waters 
are sufficiently deep for this purpose. 

Let the Government beware how it suffers such an 
establishment as the Navy-yard to fall into decay ; for it 
may be wanted when it is not to be found. W. E. 



Washington Library Company. — This Com- 
pany was chartered by congress, April, 1814. It 
contains at present, about five thousand volumes. 
It is situated on Eleventh street, immediately oppo- 
site Carusi's Assembly-rooms, and is open every 
afternoon, from 3 o'clock until 6 o'clock, P. M. 

Officers for the year 1837. — Peter Force, presi- 
dent. — Philip F. Fendall, Jonathan Seaver, John 
W. Maury, John Sessford, George Sweeny, and 
"William Hewitt, directors. — D. J. Bishop, libra- 
rian. 

Adjutant'generaV s Office. — The adjutant-gene- 
ral of the army, is charged with the the registry of 
all commissioned officers, and with the distribution 
of their commissions, with the record of all ap- 
pointments in the army, promotions, resignations, 
deaths, &c. All orders which emanate from the 



ALEXANDRIA BOARDING SCHOOL, ETC. 287 

general head-quarters of the army, and all regula- 
tions and general orders from the war office, are 
communicated to the troops by the adjutant gene- 
ral. — In the office of the adjutant-general, all 
appointments, and commissions of the officers of 
the militia of the District of Columbia, are regis- 
tered and distributed. 

Officers and Salaries. — Col. R. Jones, adjutant- 
general ; Lieut. Lorenzo Thomas, 4th infantry ; 
Lieut. E. Schriver, 2d. artillery. — Brooke Wil- 
liams, 1200 dolls.; John H. Hepburn, 1150 dolls.; 
James L. Addison, 1000 dolls.; Charles J. Litle, 
1000 dolls.; John G. Law, 1000 dolls.; James H. 
Lowry, 1000 dolls.; and John A. Gould, clerks, 
800 dolls. 

Hie Jilexandria Boarding School. — This insti- 
tion, was established in the autumn of 1824. For 
several years past, the number of students has been 
over one hundred, between seventy and eighty of 
whom are from a distance, and board in the Insti- 
tution. The Buildings are on the west side of 
Washington street, midway between Cameron and 
Queen Streets. 

Intercourse with Foreign Nations. — List of 
the Representatives of the United States, near 
Foreign Governments : — 

England. — Andrew Stevenson, Envoy Extraor- 
dinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, London ; 
Theodore S. Fay, Secretary of Legation, do. 

Russia. — George M. Dallas, Envoy Extraor- 
dinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, St. Peters- 
burg; WiUiam W. Chew, Secretary of Lega- 
tion, do. 



288 INTERCOURSE WITH FOREIGN NATIONS. 

France. — Lewis Cass, Envoy Extraordinary and 
Minister Plenipotentiary, Paris ; Charles E. An- 
derson, Secretary of Legation, do. 

Spain. — John H. Eaton, Envoy Extraordinary 
and Minister Plenipotentiary Madrid ; Arthur 
Middleton, jr., Secretary of Legation, do. 

Portugal. — Edvv'd Kavanaugh, Charge d' Affairs, 
Lisbon. 

Belgium. — Virgil Maxcy, Charge d' Affairs, 
Brussels. 

Holland. — Auguste Davezac, Charge d' Affairs, 
Hague. 

Denmark.— -Jonathan F. Woodside, Charge 
d' Affairs, Copenhagen. 

Sweden and Norway. — Christopher Hughes, 
Charge d'Affairs, Stockholm. 

Prussia. — Henry Wheaton, Envoy Extraordi- 
nary and Minister Plenipotentiary, Berlin ; C. A. 
Ingersoll, Secretary of Legation, do. 

Turkish Dominions. — David Porter, Charge 
d' Affairs, Constantinople ; John P. Brown, Drogo- 
man, do. 

Texas. — Alcee Labranche, Charge d'Affairs, 
Colombia. 

Mexican Republic. — Powhatan Ellis, Envoy Ex- 
traordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, Mexico ; 
Ellis, Secretary of Legation, do. 

Central America. — Charles G. De Witt, Charge 
d'Affairs, Guatemala. 

New Granada. — Robert B. M'Afee, Charge 
d'Affairs, Bogota. 

Venezula. — John G. Williamson, Charge d'Af- 
fairs, Caraccas. 



INTERCOURSE WITH FOREIGN NATIONS. 289 

Brazil. — AVilliam Hunter, Charge d' Affairs, Rio 
de Janeiro. 

Chili.— Ricliard Pollard, Charge d'Affairs, St. 
Jago. 

Peru. — James B. Thornton, Charge d'Affairs, 
J>ima. 

Lint of Representatives of Foreign Govern- 
ments, resident in the United States : — 

England. — Henry S. Fox, Envoy Extraordinary 
and Minister Plenipotentiary, in the late Capt. 
Kuhn's house. 

France. — Edward Pontois, Envoy Extraordi- 
nary and Minister Plenipotentiary ; M. Alphonse 
Pageot, Secretary of Legation, at Mrs. Latimer's. 

Russia. — M. George Krehmer, Charge d'Affairs, 
at Vivari's. 

Netherlands. — Chevalier Adr. Martini, Charge 
d'Affairs, Seven Buildings. 

Spain. — Don A. Calderon de la Barca, Envoy 
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary; Don 
Miguel Tacon, Secretary of Legation. 

Portugal. — Senhor Joaquim Cesar, de Figaniere 
e Morao, Charge d'Affairs, New York. 

Belgium. — Baron Desire Behr, Minister Resi- 
dent, near Georgetown. 

Sweden. — Chevalier S. Lorick, Charge d'Af- 
fairs, at Philadelphia. 

Denmark. — Steen Bille, Charge d'Affairs, . 

Prussia. — Baron de Roenne, Minister Resi- 
dent, at Mr. Lindley's. 

Mexico. — Senor Don J. M. de Castillo y Lan- 
zas, Charge d'Affairs, at Philadelphia. 
25 



290 PENITENTIARY. 

New Granada. — Senor Don Domingo Acasta, 
Charge d'Affairs, New York. 
• Brazil. — M. Cavalcanti d'Albuquerque, Charge 
d' Affairs ; M. Rocha, Attache, . 



PENITENTIARY. 

»5w Estimate of the amount required for the support of 
the Penitentiary for the District of Columbia, for one 
year, from the 21st of December, 1836, viz : — 

For outstanding claims, not yet presented 

for settlement, $2,200 00 

For pay of officers and ag-ents ; for repairs 
to building-s ; for purchase of raw mate- 
rials ; for rations, clothing-, beds, and bed- 
ding of prisoners ; for purchase of fuel ; 
for purchase of hospital stores and medi- 
cines ; for purchase of books and sta- 
tionery ; for purchase of horse feed ; for 
allowance to discharged convicts ; and for 
other contingent expenses, . - - 16,950 00 

19,150 00 
Deduct amount on hand, and unexpended, 

on the 31st of December, 1836, - - 6,644 61 



To be appropriated, $12,505 39 

Attest : 

Thomas Carbehy, 

Member of and Sec'y to the 
Board of Inspectors. 
January 16, 1837. 



PENITENTIARY. 291 

Penitentiary, Washington, D. C. 

December 31, 1836. 
Gentlemen of the Board of Inspectors 

of D. C. Penitentiary : — 
The Warden, in pursuance of established usage, sub- 
mits to your consideration a brief review of the affairs of 
this prison for the year ending- this day. At the opening- 
of the year, the number of prisoners in confinement, as 
stated in my last annual report was - - - 64 
Commitments for the year, including six recommit- 
ments, number 29 

Total, - - 93 
Reductions have been as follows : 

By expiration of time, - - - 18 
By pardon of the President, - - 1 

By escape, 1 

— 20 

Remaining to conduct the primary operations of 
the year at hand, ------ 73 

And of that number, thirty-one are whites, all males ; 
and forty-two blacks, seven of whom are females. The 
following table will show the apportionment of labour, 
which is made without distinction of colour. 
At shoemaking, ... 46 
coopering, - . . 4 
carpentry, . - . 3 
tailoring, ... 2 

making sackings, - - 3 
baking, - - - 2 

cooking, ... 2 

labouring work, - - 4 

66 



29a PENITENTIARY. 

The females, seven in number, will find full employ- 
ment in making-, mending-, and washing for the male 
department. 

The g-eneral conduct of the prisoners has been marked 
by a courtesy and respect towards their officers ; and an 
attention, and even alacrity, in the discharg-e of their 
respective duties, that reflects well UY)on the discipline of 
the prison. 

Great pleasure is afforded me in being able to inform 
the Board that the remarkable good health usual to this 
prison has had but few and slight interruptions the past 
year. No death has occurred ; and, in all cases where 
medical treatment was called for, the attending- physi- 
cian has been zealous and prompt in the discharge of his 
duty. 

Religious and moral instruction, by preaching and the 
Sabbath school, is continued to the prisoners once or 
more every week. My confidence in the usefulness of 
this department, I am proud to say, is not only undimi- 
nished^ but is likely '* to grow with its growth, and 
strengthen with its strength." Its exercises have been 
attended with the happiest consequences, both by the 
instruction of the school, and the revelation of evangeli- 
cal truth. There are about twenty, whose rapid ad- 
vances in the spelling-book have been truly surprising; 
and two, that have given hopeful assurances of an inte- 
rest in the divine Saviour ; and these facts, important as 
they are, do not alone demonstrate the usefulness of this 
branch of our system- It sheds a benignant influence 
upon the very order of the prison ; diverting the minds 
of its inmates from schemes of danger, or a repining un- 
der their misfortunes, to nobler and more profitable 
thoughts ; and, not unfrequently, bringing them to the 
sober resolution "to cease to do evil, and learn to do 
well." It has been a subject of remark, by different 
ministers officiating here, that they never addressed a 
more attentive audience any where. 

The receipts and disbursements of money on account 
of the prison have been regularly laid before you. 



PENITENTIARY. 293 

Now, in conclusion, gentlemen, I would tender you 
my sincere thanks for the very prompt and efficient sup- 
port you have given my humble endeavours to promote 
the interest, and maintain the government, of this insti- 
tution. 

Very respectfully submitted by 

Your obedient servant, 

Isaac Clark, Warden. 



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TROTANY. 295 



BOTANY 

OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 

To render our work as scientific as its compass will 
admit of, we have prevailed upon a member of the 
Washington Botanical Society to g-ive us a brief sketch 
of the botany of the District. He has politely furnished 
the following", arrang-ed after the Linnean classification. 
We reg-ret, however, that room cannot be found in this 
small volume to comprise the objects to which he alludes, 
in the following letter accompanying the sketch. 

Washington, October 12th, 1822. 
Mr. Elliot, — I herewith send you, agreeable to pro- 
mise, a list of the plants growing within the District, 
which have as yet been noticed. It was my intention to 
give you with each genus, the time and duration of 
flowering from 1817 to 1822, inclusive, together with 
the localltlxis, soil, exposure, &c., and to have added the 
natural orders of Linnreiis, as well as the more fashiona- 
ble one of Jussieu ; and, also, to have added some re- 
marks on a few of the species enumerated, that have 
been doubted as growing immediately within this dis- 
trict : but from the space allowed, I shall wait a more 
favourable opportunity. 

Very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 

J. A. BnEnETOW. 



FLORULA COLUMBIANA. 

CLASS I.— Monandria. 
ORDER \.—Munugynia. 
1. Hlppuris vulgaris — Mare's tail 



296 BOTANY. 

ORDER ll.—Digynia. 

2. Gallitriche aquatica. Water star wort 

CLASS II.— Diandria. 
ORDER l.—Monogynia. 

3. Chionanthus virg-inica. Fringe tree 

4. Veronica scutellata Ph. Speedwell 

" serpillifolia 
" peregrina 
" officinalis 
" arvensis 

5. Leptandria virginica. Nutt 

6. Gratiola virginica 

7. Justicia pedunculosa 

8. Utricularia bipartita. Bladder wort 

** vulgaris 

9. Lycopus europoeus. Water hore-hound 

** virginicus 

10. Monarda punctata. Gravel v/ort 

11. Salvia lyrata. Sage 

** claytoni 

12. Collinsonia canadensis. Horse-weed 

13. Circea canadensis. Enchanter's night shade 

14. Cunila mariana. Penny royal 

ORDER W.—Digynia. 

15. Anthoxanthum adoratum , Sweet scented grass. 

CLASS III.— Triandria. 
ORDER \.—Monogynia. 

16. Iris virginica. Blue flag 

** gracihs, Big 

17. Commelina augustifolia. Day flower 

** virginica 

18. Ixia coelestina ? 

19. Cyperus strigosus. Nutgrass 

" fiavescens 

20. Sisyrinchium mucronatum. Blue eyed grass 

" anceps 



BOTANt. 297 

21. Eriophorum vli-^^inicum. Cotton grass 

22. Dulichium spathaceum 

23. Mariscus cylindricus 

** echinatus 

24. Tricophomm cyperinum. Brown cotton grass 
^5. Xyris caroliniana. Yellow flowering- rusli 

2o. Fedia radiata 

ORDER ll.-Digynia. 

27. Dactylis glomerata. Orchard grass 

CLASS IV — ^Tetandria. 

ORDER l.—Monoginiia. 

28. Houstonia cxrulea. Venus's pride 

" lanceolata 
** longifolia 

29. Plantago major. Plantane 

" lanceolata 
50. Cephalanthus occidentalis. Button wood 

31. Ludwigia alternifolia 

" hirsuta 

32. Pothos foetida. Scunk cabbage 

33. Dipsacus sylvestris. Teazel 

34. Cornus florida. Dogwood. 

3^5. Spermacoce diodina. Button weed 
3J>. Sanguisorba canadensis. Wild Burnet 

37. Mitchella repens. Partridge berry 

38. Ptelea trifoliata 

" monophylla 

ORDER \\.-l)iirynia. 

39. Cuscuta Americana. Dodder 

ORDER m.— r,ii;,jnia. 

40. Tillaea cymosa 

CLASS v.— Pentandria 
ORDER ^.-Mo„n!r,jnia. 

41. Claytonia virglnica 



298 BOTANY. 

42. Viola prlmullfolla. Violet, or heart's ease 

" blanda 

" pedata 

** sag-ittata 

** cucullata 

** striata 

*' palmata 

** lanceolata 

*' villosa 

" arvensis 

43. Azalea viscosa. Wild honey-suckle 

*' nudiflora 

44. Dodecatheon meadia. American cowslip 

45. Onosmodium molle 

46. Cynoglossum officinale. Hound's tongue 

" sylvaticum 

" amplexicaule 

47. Vitis Labrusca. Fox grape 

48. Lobeha Kalmii 

•< pallida 

" puberula 

" cardinalis. Cardinal plant 

** syphilitica. American mercury 

" inflata. Indian tobacco 

49. Lysimachia quadrifolia. Loosestrife 

** ciliata 

" quadriflora 

" raceraosa 

** hybrida 

50 Phlox pyramidalis 
" paniculata 
" maculata 
** suaveolens 
" pilosa 
Phlox subulata 
*' divaricata 

51. Calystegia sepium. Bind weed 

52. Phj^salis pubescens. Ground cherries 

53. Echium vulgare. Viper's bugloss 



BOTANY. 299 

54. Datura stramonium. Jamestown weed 

55. Verbascum thapsus. MuUien 

" nigrum 

*' blataria 

56. Convolvulus panduratus. Wild sweet potatoe 

57. Ceanothus americanus. New Jersey tea 

58. Evonymus americanus. Burning- bush 

59. Solanum nigrum. Nightshade 

" virginianum 

" dulcamara 

60. Anagallis arvensis. Red chick-weed 

61. Impatiens maculata. Touch-me-not 

62. Campanula amplexicaulis. Bell-wort 

63. Sabbatia angularis. Centaury 

64. Hydrophyllum virginicum. Water leaf 

65. Myosotis scorpioides. Scorpion grass 

66. Comandra unbellata 

ORDER U.—Dygynia. 

67. Asclepias variegata. Swallaw wort and silk weed 

" tomentosa 

" purpurascens 

" verticillata 

" tuberosa. Pleurisy root 

68. Apocynum androsaemifohum. Dog's bane 

69. Eryngium virginianum. Sea holly 

70. Salsola kali. Salt wort 

71. Panax trifolium 

72. Gentiana saponaria. Soap wort gentian 

73. Gonolobus caroliniensis 

74. Sanicula marylandica. Sanicle 

75. Heuchera americana. Alum root 

76. Hydrocotyle americana. Naval wort 

77. Smyrnium cordatum. Alexander's 

ORDER m.— Trigynia. 

78. Sambuces canadunsis. Elder 

79. Rhusglabrum. Shumach 

" copalhnum 

" vernix 

'* toxicodendron 



300 BOTANY. 

80. Sarothra gentlanoices. Ground pine 
282. Virburnum prunifolium. Black-haw 

ORDER Y.—Pentagynia: 

81. Drosera rotundifolia. Sun dew 

82. Aralia hispida 

CLASS VI.— Hexandria. 

ORDER \.—Monogynia. 

83. Erythronium americanum. Dog's tooth violet 

84. Uvularia sessilifolia. 

** perfoliata 

85. Orontium aquaticum. Golden club 

86. Hypoxis erecta. Star of Bethlehem 

87. Tradescantia virg-inica. Spider wort, 

89. Convallaria multiflora. Solomon's seal 

*' biflora 

" racemosa 

90. Polygonatum latifolium 

91. Acorus calamus. Calamas 

92. Pontederia cordata Pickerell root 

93. Juncus eifusus. Rush 

** campestris 

94. Lilium superbum. Superb lily 

95. Smilacina canadensis 

96. Aletris farinosa 

ORDER m.— Trig;piia. 

97. Rumex acetossella. Sheep sorrel 

98. Medeola virg-inica. Cucumber root 

99. Veratrum viride. Hellebore 

" angustifolium. 

100. Helonias dioica 

101. Melanthium virginicum. Black flower 

•* hybridum 

ORDER \V .— Tetragynia. 

102. Saurui'as cernuus. Lizard's tail 

ORDER W.-Polygyn>n. 

103. Alisma plantago. Water plantane 



BOTANY. 301 

CLASS VIII.— Octandria. 

ORDER i.—Monogynia. 

104. CEnothera fruticosa. Free primrose 

" biennis 

** hybrida. 

*' parviflora 

105. Rhexia virg-inica 

106. Acer rubrum. Red maple 

107. Epilobium tetragonum 

ORDER m.— Trigynia. 

108. Polygonum sagittatiim. Knot grass 

*' persicaria 

** hydropiper 

CLASS IX.— Enneandria, 

ORDER l.—Monogynia. 

109. Laurus benzion. Spice wood 

*' sassafras. Sassafras tree 

CLASS X.— Decandria. 

ORDER l.—Monogynia. 

110. Epigsea repens. Ground laurel 

111. Cercis canadensis. Judas tree, or red bud 

112. Kalmia latifolia. Laurel 

" glauca 

113. Arbutus uva-ursi. Bear's whortleberry 

114. Podalyriatinctoria. Wild Indigo 

** coerulea 

«* alba 

1 15. Andromeda mariana 

*' paniculata 

" racemosa 

Andromeda polifolia 
** calyculata 

116. Vaccinium stamineum 

117. Pyrola rotundifolia. Watei green 

118. ChimaphUa maculata, ? vyater green 

umbellata, S ^^^^ ^^^^'^ 

26 



302 BOTANY. 

119. Monotropa uniflora. Beech drops 

*' hypopithys 

120. Cassia marilandica, Senna 

" chamsechrista. Partridge pea 
" nictitans 

121 . Rhododendron maximum. Mountain laurel 

122. GaUltheria procumbens 

ORDER 11— Bigynia. 

123. Saxafraga virginiensis. Saxafrage 

124. Mitella diphylla 

125. Hydrangea nivea 

126. Saponaria officinalis. Soap wort 

ORDER m.— Trigynia. 

127. Stellaria pubera. Star wort 

*' media 

128. Arenaria rubra. Sand wort 

*' seryhyllifolia 

129. Cucubalus stellatus. Campion 

'* behen 

130. Silene pennsylvanica. Wild pink 

** antirrhina 

ORDER y .—Pentagynia. 

131. Oxalis violacea. Wood sorrel 

*' stricta 

132. Cerastium vulgatum Mouse-eared chick-weed 

" semidecandrum 

133. Agrostemma gitliago. Cockle 

134. Penthorum sedoides 

135. Spergula arvensis. Spurry 

136. Sedum pulchellum. Stone crop 

ORDER Yl.—Decagynia. 

137. Phytolacca decandra. Poke 

CLASS XT.— Dodecandria. 
ORDER \.—Monogynia. 

138. Cuphea viscosissima 



BOTANY. 

139. Asamm canadense 

** vLrginicum 

140. Portulacca olei-acea. Purslane 

ORDER III.— Trigrjnia. 

141. Euphorbia corollata. Spurge 

*' ipecacuanha 

" maculata 

CLASS XII.— Icosandria. 
ORDER I.—Monogi/nia. 

142. Philadelphus inodorus 

ORDER II— Di-pentagynia. 

143. Spiroea trifohata Ph. Indian physic 

** saUcifolia. Meadow sweet 
** opulifolia. Nine bark 

144. Sorbus americana. Mountain ash 

145. Mespilus arbutifolia 

ORDER m.—Pologynia. 

146. Potentilla canadensis. Cinquefoil 

*' simplex 

** norweg-ica 

147. Frag-aria virg-iniana. Strawberry 

148. Rubus trivialis. Dewberry 

*• villosus. Blackberry 

149. Rosa rubig-inosa. Sweetbrier 

** pendulina 
'* parviflora 

150. Calycanthus g-laucus 

CLASS XIII.— Polyandria. 

ORDER l.—Monogy7ua. 

151. Sang^inaria canadensis. Puccoon 

152. Nymphaea odorata 

153. Nuphar advena 

154. Podophyllum peltatum. May-apple 

155. Ascyrum crux-andreae. St. Peter s wort 

156. Actaea americana 



304 BOTANY. 

157. Sarracenia parpurea. Side-saddle flower 

158. Helianthemum ramuliflomm 

159. Tilia americana. Linden tree 

ORDER U.—Dipentagynia. 

160. Hypericum perforatum. St. John's wort 

** canadense 

** glaucum? 

** prolificum 

161. Cimicifuga serpentaria Ph. 

162. Aconitum uncinatum. Wolf's bane 

163. Aquilegia canadensis. Columbine 

ORDER m.—Pologynia. 

164. Anemone memorosa. Wind flower 

*t virginiana , 

" thalictroides 

165. Hepatica triloba 

166. Ranunculus fascicularis. Crow foot 

** abortivus 

" bulbosus 

** marylandicus 

** repens 

** sceleratus 

•* flammula 

" pennsylvanicus 

167. Annona triloba. Papaw 

168. Liriodendron tulipifera. Tulip tree 

169. Clematis virginica. Traveller's joy 

" odorata. Virgin's bower 
** viorna 
** sericea 

170. Magnolia glauca. Beaver tree 

171. Thalictrum pubescens. Meadow rue 

CLASS XIV.— Didynamia. 

ORDER l.— Gymnospermia. 

172. Lamium amplexicaule. Henbit 



BOTANY. 305 

173. Scutellaria parvula, Scullcap 

** lateriflora 

*' integ-rifolia 

** galericulata . 

** teucrifolia 

" pilosa Ph. 

174. Glechoma hederacea. Ground ivy 

175. Prunella vulg-aris. Self heal 

176. Leonurus cardiaca. Mother wort 

177. Pycnanthemum incanum. Hoary basil 

** linifolium 

** aristatum 

178. Clinopodium vulg-are. Wild basil 

179. Mentha canadensis. Mint 

*' borealis 

180. Trichostema dichotoma. Bastard penny royal 

** linearis 

181. Bentonica officinalis. Betony 

182. Nepeta cataria. Catnep or catmint 

183. Marubium vulg-are. Horehound 

184. Hyssopus nepetoides 

185. Dracocephalum virginianum. Dragon's head 

*' denticulatum 

186. Teucrium virginicum 

ORDER II — Angiosperniia. 

187. Antirrhinum canadense. Toad flax 

" linaria 

** elatine 

188. Pentstemon laevigata 

** pubescens 

189. Chelone glabra. Snake head 

190. Gerardia flava. I'alse fox glove 

" purpurea 
*' pedicularia 

*' auriculata' 

191. Verbena urticifolia. Vervain 

, ** hastata 

26* 



306 BOTANY. 

192. Bignonia catalpa. Catalpa tree 

*' radicans. Trumpet creeper 

193. Mimulus alatus. Monkey flower 

194. Scrophularia marilandica. Fig wort 

** lanceolata 

195. Pedicularis Euphrasioides. Louse wort 

** canadensis 

196. Ruellia strepens 

197. Lindernia attenuata 

198. Martynia proboscidea. Cuchold's horns 

199. Orobanche uniflora 

CLASS XV.— Tetradynamia. 
ORDER l.—Siliculosa. 

200. Draba verna. Whitlow grass 

** arabisans 

201. Thlaspi bursa-pastoris. Shepherd's purse 

** campestris 

202. Lepidium virginicum. Wild pepper grass 

ORDER n.—Stliquosa. 

203. Cardamine pennsylvanica. Water cress 

** virginica 

204. Sisymbrium amphibium 

205. Cleome pentaphylla 

206. Dentaria laciniata 

207. Arab is lyrata 

** thaliana 

208. Turritis lavigata 

CLASS XVI.— Monadelphia. 
ORDER ll.—Pentandria. 

209. Passiflora incai*nata. Passion flower 

ORDER m.—Decandna. 

210. Geranium maculatum. Crow foot geranium 

** robertianum. Herb robert 

ORDER YV.—PolT/andria, 

211. Malva rotundifolia. Mallows 



BOTANY. 307 



212. Sida spinosa. Indian mallow 

213 . Hibiscus polustris. Marsh hibiscus 

CLASS XVII— Diadelphia. 
ORDER U.—IIexandria. 

214. Fumaria officinalis. Fumitory 

ORDER m.— Octandria. 

215. Polyg-ala senega. Seneca snake root 

** sang-uinea 
** purpurea 
" paucifolia 

ORDER W .—Decandria. 

216. Lupinus perennis. Lupine. 

217. Lathyrus venosus. Pea vine 

218. Hedysarum nudiflorum. Saintfoin 

** marilandicum 

219. Lespedeza violacea 

220. Clitoria marianna 

221. Apios tuberosa. Wild potatoe vine 

222. Trifolium reflexum. Trefoil 

" arvense 

223. Crotalaria sagittalis. Rattle 

224. Vicia americana 

225. Robinia pseudacacia. Locust tree 

226. Amphicarpa monoica 

CLASS XVIII.— Syngenesia. 

ORDER l.—jEqualis. 

227. Leontodon taraxacum. Dandelion 

228. Carduus pectinatus 

229. Cnicus lanceolatus. Common thistle 

230. Eupatorium perfoliatum. Bone set 

** ccelestinum 

** verticillatum 

*' purpureum 

•' sessilifolium 



308 BOTANY. 

231. Precanthes alba. Wild lettuce. 

" serpentaria. Lion's foot 

232. Milkania scandens 

233. Hieracium venosum. Poor Robert's plantane 

234. Liatris macrostachya 

235. Krigia dandelion 

ORDER II.— Superjlua. 

236. Gnaphalium plantagineum. Cud weed 

" uliginosum 

" americanum 

237. Senecio vulgtiris. Rag wort 

" aureus 

238. Achillea millefolium. Yarrow 

239. Aster novae anglicae. Star wort 

** undulatus 
** marylandicus 

240. Anthemis cotula. May weed 

241. Solidago lanceolata. Golden rod 

242. Erigeron philadelphicum. Flea bane 

243. Helenium autumnale. False sun flower 

244. Inula marianna. Wild elicampane 

245. Conyza pycnostachya. Black root 

246. Chrysanthemum leucanthemum. Ox-eye 

ORDER m.—Frustranea. 

247. Rudbeckia fulgida. Dwarf-sun flower 

248. Coreopsis verticillata. Tick-seed 

249. Helianthus altissimus. Sun flower 

" mollis 

250. Bidens bipinnata. Spanish needles 

ORDER ly.—Necessaria. 

251. Polymnia uvedalia 

" canadensis 

252. Silphium ternatum 

253. Chrysogonum virginianum ' . 

ORDER \.—Segregata. 

254. Elephantopus carolinianus 



BOTANY. 309 

CLASS XIX.— Gynandria. 

ORDER l.—Monandria. 

255. Asethusa bilbosa 

" ophioglossoides 
*• pendula 
** divaricata 

256. Cymbidium pulchellum 

" hiemale. Adam and Eve 
257". Orchis psycodes. Eagged Orchis 
" cillaris 

258. Neottia pubescens. Rattle snake plantane 

" cernua 

** tortillis. Ladies' traces 

ORDER U.—Diandria. 

259. Cypripedium acaule. Ladies' slipper 

" humile 

** pubescens 

" parviflorum 

ORDER m.—Hexondria. 

260. Aristolochia serpentaria. Virginia snake root 

CLASS XX.— Monoecia. 

ORDER m.— THandria. 

261. Typha angustifolia. Cat-tail 

262. Carex miliacea. Sedge 

ORDER IW.— Tetrandria. 

263. Alnus serulata. Alder 

264. Urtica dioica. Nettle 

*' canadensis 

ORDER \.—Pentandria. 

265. Xanthium spinosum. Spanish thistle 

*' strumarium. Burdock 

266. Amaranthus hybridus 

** spinosus 

267. Ambrosia artemisifolia. Hog-weed 



310 BOTANY. 

ORDER \m.—Polyandria. 

268. Arum triphyllum. Indian turnip 

" dracontium 

269. Calla palustris. Water arum 

270. Caladium sag-ittifolium 

271. Castanea pumila. Chinquapin 

" vesca americana. Chesnut 

272. Sag-ittaria sagittifolia. Arrow head 

ORDER \m.—Monadelphia. 

273. Acalyphavirginica. Three -seeded-mercury 

274. Sycios aug-ulata. Single-seeded-cucumber 

CLASS XXL— Dioecia. 

ORDER 11.— Diandria. 

275. Valisneria americana. Duck weed 

276. Salixalpina. Walt 

ORDER \1.—Hexandria. 

277. Smilax peduncularis 

" rotundifolia 
" sarsaparilla 
** panduratus 

278. Dioscorea villosa 

279. Gleditschia triacanthos. Honey locust 

CLASS XXII.— Cryptogamia. 
ORDER 1.— Cilices. 

280. Adiantum pedatum. Maiden hair 

281. Osmunda cinnamomea 

283. Asplenium thelypterioides. Shieldfern 

284. Equisetum hyemale. Scrub rush 

285. Polypodium vulgare. Polypody 

286. Pteris caudata. Brake 

" atropurpurea 

287. Ophioglossum vulgatum. Adder's tongue 

*' bulbosum 

288. Lycopodium dendroideum. Ground pine. 



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